Lucy Bonds admits she was nervous when her quaint little coffee shop on Birmingham’s Southside got a Goliath of a neighbor - Starbuck’s Coffee.
Eighteen months later, Lucy’s Coffee & Tea is still going strong, supported by many of the loyal fans who have enabled the shop to celebrate 12 years in business this year.
Bonds first gained her love of coffee in 1989 after moving to Seattle, Starbuck’s hometown. The Greensboro native moved back to her home state of Alabama in 1992 and says, “I knew Birmingham was the best place to start a coffee business.”
She first started selling coffee from a cart near Tracy’s Cafeteria at University Boulevard and 20th Street South and within three years set up a shop across the street.
Bonds credits the “hometown feel” and close presence to UAB for much of her success, along with Birmingham’s reputation as home of several independent coffee shops and two major coffee roasters - Royal Cup and Red Diamond Coffee & Tea.
Most small coffee shops would get nervous with a Starbuck’s next door. How have you done it?
It was a big challenge having the biggest of the big open next door. But it really has been fine. There has been so much support from the community.
I really do believe that people enjoy that small-town, mom and pop approach. The essence of Lucy’s is a feeling of home.
Photo by okwu.
Evelyn S. Lim on March 26th, 2007 at 10:43 am
I am interested to learn more about the success story of Lucy Bonds on your
� Coffee Shop Entrepreneur Finds Her Perfect Niche�
what was done by Lucy Bonds to fight against Starbucks and the lessons learnt,they DO & DONT
Thank you
Evelyn