By Nathan Hamood, President and Director of Coffee
Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters
We are all familiar with the modern design aesthetic for many high-end retail stores. Monochromatic. Minimalist. Merchandise set out on a pedestal, where Look, Don’t Touch seems to be the order of the day. Speaking anywhere above a whisper would feel out of place in such austere surroundings.
Fortunately, as we go about remodeling our Rochester, Michigan location, our team at Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters took the opposite tack. We have given ourselves the freedom to break the mold, as it were, of modern retail, especially the fast food and casual dining arena, where every location looks the same.
Instead, a coffee shop like ours should reflect our community, customers, interests, and character. Therefore, certain design elements will reinforce our brand and what we stand for as a business while allowing each location to have its vibe and furnishings, its look and feel.
Some guiding principles:
- It isn’t necessary to “borrow” grandma’s old living room sofa and chairs, but, instead, choose furnishings that are comfortable and inviting and of good quality.
- Allow customers and staff to have some input into design elements like color motif, signage and amenities. That said, freedom of expression is not a license for sloppiness, clutter or giving offense to anyone. Make the environment comfortable and harmonious. Austere is out, and so is boring.
- Regardless, our coffee shop is open to the public as a food service establishment. It must be functional and hygienic for food service and respect all local ordinances.
There is plenty of room for creativity and individuality within those boundaries, reflecting the origins and traditions of hospitality and our entrepreneurial spirit. The overall message is: “come in and enjoy yourself, relax and reflect, greet your neighbor if you choose, as you sip a great independently sourced coffee.”
About Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters
Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters has one location in Rochester, one in Detroit, and one in Royal Oak. The company roasts coffee in-house daily as well as bakes its desserts every day. Dessert Oasis strives to deliver an unrivaled coffee, dessert, and entertainment experience through close attention to detail, an unbelievable knack for quality, and intense love for our communities. Crain’s Detroit Business recently recognized President and Director of Coffee Nathan Hamood for his passion for coffee, business acumen and commitment to the community by being included in Crain’s 20 in their 20s Class of 2021.
