This Cozy Coffee and Garden Shop Has Become a Staple in Its Community By Following 5 Smart Strategies

Nestled successful the bosom of St. Louis, Missouri, Maypop is simply a coffee and garden shop known for its cozy charm and abundant greenery. People from each walks of life stitchery present to reconnect pinch quality and each other.

Julia Valleroy, Maypop's administrative coordinator, was erstwhile 1 of those customers seeking a plot flight and a bully cup of coffee. Now portion of the team, Valleroy says Maypop's dual business model still provides that warmth and magic for her and galore others.

"You really don't spot [anything for illustration Maypop] astir present successful the Midwest astatine all," she says. "How galore places tin you spell wherever you tin get java and besides bargain immoderate flowers for your beforehand structure aliases a tropical houseplant that you've been dreaming of having?"

Many customers travel to the shop to observe typical occasions, for illustration Yelp reviewer Angela P., who brought her son's woman to Maypop for her birthday. Both enthusiasts of java and gardening, Angela and her impermanent were thrilled to person the champion of some worlds — moreover successful the summertime heat.

"Maypop was decidedly popping, but the capacity did not impact our acquisition 1 bit," Angela wrote successful her review. "It was a alternatively basking day, but the unit did not look bothered. In fact, they were overmuch much personable than I would person been had I been moving successful the heat. Kudos to each of the staff, some wrong and out, for helping springiness 1 of the champion day gifts that my woman has had."

Customer service is simply a ample portion of what makes Maypop specified a celebrated destination. The squad provides expertise connected everything from herbal beverage to works parenting, which Angela said greatly impacted her customer experience.

"They're professional, truthful I spot they cognize what they're talking about," she says. "I wouldn't conscionable return the connection disconnected of the street, but going there, I felt a small much educated. They gave ideas connected things that they liked [from the cafe]. The hibiscus tea—I was hesitant connected getting that, but it was delicious. It was very refreshing."

A knowledgeable squad is besides an plus erstwhile it comes to social media content. For instance, Valleroy precocious worked pinch the plot unit to create an Instagram reel connected really to works a cactus without pricking yourself. She says social media is an opportunity to amended customers while showcasing your brand's personality.

"Just make it nosy and make it ray to commencement with," she says. "You're going to get amended pinch time. You want to ever person your look retired location successful beforehand of them truthful you're not forgotten. I conscionable envision whenever I'm typing up a station that I'm speaking to my friends."

This strategy is successful online because Maypop's squad has besides worked to found friends relationships connected the ground. Community building is ever astatine the forefront of Maypop's mission, from its societal media beingness to its events strategy — for example, inviting vendors from crossed St. Louis to subordinate its quarterly Maker's Market.

"We thoughtfully prime section artisans that for illustration to create and stock their passions," Valleroy says. "That is thing that really brings the organization together, and it lifts group up and brings consciousness to mini businesses successful our area. It conscionable feels bully to thief support people, support our organization and support each other."

Not only is Maypop's marketplace a awesome measurement to build community, but it besides promotes the marque locally. Valleroy creates integer fliers for the arena and encourages vendors to stock them, bolstering the brand's 22,000+ Instagram followers and proving that galore awesome marketing activations are free.

To further heighten organization engagement, Valleroy regularly sounds and responds to Maypop's reviews connected Yelp. Engaging pinch feedback shows you admit some your customers and your team. For example, Valleroy displays reviews successful the unit room to inspire and motivate the squad to support innovating and improving.

"We for illustration to move things up," she says. "Every week whenever I travel successful connected Monday, particularly successful the plot center, they've moved things astir and their displays, making it truthful erstwhile you travel in, it feels caller and fresh. We ever germinate astir astatine Maypop, ever trying to do better."

Since its founding successful 2018, Maypop has attributed its blooming business to these halfway principles:

• Attitude speaks volumes. When conditions aren't ideal, customers admit your professionalism and expertise moreover more. A adjuvant penetration aliases thoughtful proposal goes a agelong measurement connected a basking aliases engaged day.
• Stay top-of-mind done societal media. Social media is made for connecting pinch friends, truthful attack your societal media strategy for illustration you're talking to a friend astir thing caller and fun. Even if your contented is educational, usage an accessible and lighthearted tone.
• Keep things caller and exciting. Whether rearranging the shop setup each week aliases hosting seasonal events for the community, switching things up keeps your unit and customers motivated.
• Create events to uplift section mini businesses. Empower your chap mini business owners to go influencers for your brand. Not only will they get free promotion, but your business will get free exposure.
• Amplify customer reviews to staff. Shouting retired a occupation good done and highlighting areas of betterment are cardinal to motivating staff to outperform themselves.

Listen to the section beneath to perceive straight from Valleroy and Angela, and subscribe to Behind the Review for much from caller business owners and reviewers each Thursday.

Editorial contributions by Erin Palmero and Emily Moon

This article is portion of our ongoing America's Favorite Mom & Pop Shops™ bid highlighting family-owned and operated businesses.