Hello all!
One year ago today Rc and I sent out a note to the Coffee Trader customers explaining our plan for staying safe during a pandemic that at that time we knew very little about. We knew that it was contagious, that it had the potential to be deadly and that we were susceptible due to our constant contact with the public.
When we talked about and wrote the letter, we thought maybe we would be serving from a window, wearing masks and keeping a distance for a month or two? LOL. One year later and our protocols have become commonplace and we continue to roast, bag, make drinks, etc. while serving from our pick up window, shipping boxes of coffee across the U.S. and delivering coffee to our cafe and restaurant accounts.
This year has taught us a lot and shown what we can accomplish as a team. We learned that a face mask is not a big ask. If it keeps us safe and our customers safe, then why wouldn’t we wear it? The health department requires us to wash our hands regularly and especially after tasks that might cause cross contamination. That health rule has been in place for years and we don’t rail against it. Why would we? Just like washing our hands, face masks haven’t been our issue this year because they are common sense.
We have learned a lot about versatility and changing quickly so that we can provide great customer service in new and different ways. We have online calls in order to show folx how to reinstall water filters, videos on different methods of brewing coffee while working from home, virtual tours of the coffee farms in Costa Rica. We have learned how to have engaging conversations and provide delicious drinks through a window!
Speaking of new ideas, if you are going to attend SXSW this year in its virtual format, how about enjoying a box of coffee to enjoy while watching.
https://www.texascoffeetraders.com/monthly-boxes/sxsw-box
The ability to pivot and provide great service in unique formats has been essential and Rc and I are ever grateful to the group at Coffee Traders for their creativity and commitment to keeping it safe and fun.
We want to thank all of the customer community that have supported us during this year and we look forward to the changes this year will bring once we can safely reopen. We are so close!! Rc is fairly chomping at the bit and as soon as we are reopened get ready for that energy. :)))
Until we can all be vaccinated and the CDC says it is safe to fully open, we will be serving from our very cool pick up window. Our tables and chairs are set up and under a tent so that you can sit and enjoy your delicious coffee drink in the open air.
Take care folx, mask up (required at Coffee Traders) and get a vaccine when you can.
Beth and Rc