Family putting in hard work to make Atlanta coffee shop a success

Tanya Beers and daughter Hailey Taylor are making espresso during the opening of Cafe Crema, their specialty coffee shop in Atlanta, Texas.
Tanya Beers and daughter Hailey Taylor are making espresso during the opening of Cafe Crema, their specialty coffee shop in Atlanta, Texas.

ATLANTA, Texas - The arrival of flowers brought tears to Tanya Beers.

She was expecting customer excitement over the opening of her new Cafe Crema coffee shop in downtown Atlanta. But the flowers congratulating and welcoming the new business were a surprise.

Tanya, husband Greg and family, had spent a year and a half planning this espresso coffee concept. It was no overnight sensation. They had done most of the building, too.

As a further example, Tanya had sought the guidance of the Small Business Administration, the Arkansas Council of Governments, the Atlanta Area Chamber of Commerce and especially the expertise of an aunt, Lori Daniel, for the creation of their business plan.

They'd researched the community, this site at 111 E. Main St. and thrashed over the need for a specialty coffee shop. Its interior had been professionally designed by a family member. Its all white swirling logo was created by another family member.

Everything had been put together by the family working nights. Note especially the chandelier, which is the glowing light fixture accenting the entrance and front corner of the community area. See something familiar?

"It's an old door with light fixtures added," Tanya said. "Created by my husband, Greg, especially for this purpose."

Note, too, that owner Tanya has prepared herself as well. She's completed a three-day barista school in Dallas and has been self-employed as a cake maker and decorator for several years.

When she wanted her own business, she prepared like a baker. But she wasn't prepared for the flower baskets which started arriving the first days after opening last week.

"I just love this town of Atlanta," she said. "These flowers are from other businesses and neighbors welcoming us to the community. It's such an honor. It's what we wanted. A place for people to come and enjoy."

The particular details are these. The espresso coffee shop is located at 111 East Main and is open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

The shop serves not only the special espresso coffee in its many varieties but also herbal teas and lemonade, the latter made ready by a vigorous hand shaking.

"The teas are such as Oolong and Earl Grey by the brand Rishi. They are delightful refreshments hot or cold," said Tanya's daughter and employee Hailey Taylor.

Oolong is a dark green tea, and Earl Grey is a black organic tea with fragrance added, Taylor explained.

Cafe Crema also has pastries and sandwich wraps for extra satisfaction.

Two additional features give the customer a fresh experience. One is that the coffee is served in huge white tableware cups and saucers that are of special design. And on the surface of the coffee itself will be a floating white design that seems to be made of the cream.

Tanya can make several of these designs.

"We're going not just for the coffee but also the experience of being here," said daughter Taylor.

So far, the reception by the public has been strong, Tanya said.

Several family members not already mentioned who used their skills to build this business include Tanya's mother Elena Johnson, father Chuck Daniel and Greg's son John and his brother Lindon Richardson. Richardson is a professional restaurant designer from Florida. Nephew Eric Connell, who also lives out of state, created the logo. Stepdaughter Julia Tippit is also an employee.

A final interesting touch is that the interior is decorated with coffee sacks, which are lighted and arranged on the walls.

"These are the actual coffee sacks in which our coffee beans have been delivered," Tanya said. "We keep them so that we know how fresh our coffee is. That and knowing how to exactly prepare and serve coffee makes ours a truly special coffee."

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