By Leslie Merchant
To brew or not to brew? It is the first decision of the day for many, particularly those who reside in the Pacific Northwest where coffee is akin to a religious conviction.
Starting off the morning with a cup of coffee is not just a habit; it is a necessity for some people. Brewing at home or buying from a favorite coffee house is a morning ritual for many Olympia locals. Dancing Goats Espresso Bar inside Bayview Thriftway is the first stop of the day for those who choose not to brew at home. It is a mid-morning, midday or late afternoon stop for other locals who need a break or pick-me-up later in the day.
Customers are Kings (and Queens)
Abbe Davis, Manager of Dancing Goats, is as passionate about her customers as she is about the coffee she serves. A long-time staff member of Bayview, Abbe was asked to lead the coffee stand when it opened after Bayview’s remodel in 2003.
She admits she is really fussy about her coffee, and she appreciates that her customers have certain expectations as well. Abbe exclaims, “I have the best customers in town, bar none! They’ve been customers for a long time; we like to share our lives with our customers and they share with us.”
Patrons develop relationships with the baristas and are up-front about their preferences. Abbe insists that while the brew itself is the star of the coffee experience, a highly trained barista is the Oscar-nominated supporting actor when it comes to hand-crafting the perfect cup.
Buying Locally
Olympia locals are invested in the success of the coffee bar. They know that thriving area businesses such as Dancing Goats will draw customers to downtown Olympia and subsequently to other neighborhood storefronts. Bayview Thriftway is part of the Stormans, Inc. family of local businesses located throughout Thurston County. As a fourth-generation family owned business, they have a vested interest in the health and vitality of the downtown community. Like so many businesses downtown, they know that success for their business means success for others in the vicinity.
Eco-Minded Coffee
While personal and professional relationships are essential, Dancing Goats’ real success is due to the brew it serves. In 2003, local coffee roaster Batdorf & Bronson linked up with Bayview to open its first storefront inside of the Market. David Wasson, Chief Operating Officer of Batdorf & Bronson, loves partnering with Bayview because of its commitment to Olympia and the environment. “As a company, we (Batdorf & Bronson) feel responsible for how we impact the world. Sustainability and how we impact the environment are core values of Batdorf and Bronson,” he explains. That and of course exceptional coffee is what drives the business.
Training “The Right Way”
A quick overview of the company’s training program, “The Right Way,” is proof that Batdorf & Bronson expects a lot from their staff. Exceptional service is equally as important as exceptional coffee.
All baristas are trained at the waterfront location using the company’s training program as a foundation upon which to build their coffee expertise. Relationships with everyone from suppliers to customers and their impact on our community and the places the coffee comes from are key elements of Batdorf & Bronson’s philosophy.
Both Abbe and David spend a lot of time thinking about these issues. They are both adamant about the necessity of relationships within the community to create positive attitudes for neighboring and competing businesses.
Paying a Premium
Batdorf & Bronson is conscientious about the quality of coffee beans and the locale from which they come. Investing in eco-friendly coffee growers is important to the business. David explains that, “the more we invest in eco-friendly products and companies, the more the cost is driven down (for the consumer).”
Additionally, Batdorf & Bronson is a 100% green powered company. It is one of many reasons why customers are willing to pay a premium for their beans, and also one of the reasons why partnering with companies like Bayview Thriftway makes such good sense. Bayview’s customers are typically loyal, environmentally educated and willing to pay a bit more to do their part in helping our community thrive.
Dancing Goats Espresso Bar will celebrate its 10-year anniversary in May.
For more information on Dancing Goats Espresso Bar in Bayview Market, please tour the store on Bayview’s website.
