By: Ella Alberts
OMAHA, Neb. — Coffee chains are expanding across the Omaha metro, giving customers more options for their daily coffee runs.
Coffee chains are expanding across the Omaha metro, giving customers more options for their daily coffee runs. As large corporations continue to attract customers with convenience and speed, locally owned coffee shops are finding ways to keep customers coming through their doors.
Whether it’s a morning coffee run or an afternoon pick-me-up, customers have plenty of options for their next drink. Starbucks reported that it operates more than 18,000 stores across North America.
For small businesses, standing out means taking a different approach. At Cup and Cone, owner Amber Tkaczuk focuses on creating a welcoming environment and a unique customer experience.
“We try really hard to just be a welcoming, super friendly place, that when somebody walks in, they feel like they belong here, they feel seen,” Tkaczuk said. “That was just our goal from the get-go when we opened this place, was for it to be a gathering place and for people to just come here and kind of exhale.”
Starbucks is currently operating under “The 4-minute rule,” a standard requiring baristas to prepare and deliver a drink to customers in four minutes or less.
While corporations prioritize speed, local shops focus on connection and community. Social media also helps these businesses attract customers and build a loyal following.
For some Omaha residents, supporting local businesses is a preferred choice. Omaha resident Chloe Hansel considers where her money goes when deciding where to get coffee.
“It makes me feel good knowing that I’m supporting a small business. I know that my money might be benefiting somebody else, instead of a big corporation,” Hansel said. “So I feel a bit better by paying $8 for a latte at the mill personally rather than Starbucks because I know that that might actually impact the local Omaha community instead of a billionaire.”
While large chains offer convenience, local coffee shops see every customer as an opportunity to build lasting connections and loyalty.
From building a loyal customer base to using social media, locally owned coffee shops are finding new ways to stand out and compete with larger corporations. For these businesses, the experience behind a cup of coffee can be just as important as the coffee itself.
