8 Coffee Shop Trends That Offer Convenience, Customer Perks, And Community Connection

From big coffee shop chains to small, local cafes, coffee shop culture has been rapidly evolving to cater to beloved customers, providing more ways to save, more ways to order, more options to choose from, and on and on.

You may have even noticed a shift in overall coffeehouse culture, with many locations hosting open mic nights to showcase local talent, book clubs, community fundraisers, and more.

Of course, in some areas where these shifts have been occurring for some time, we’ve become accustomed to such conveniences, so when the small cafes in our communities begin to offer similar perks and opportunities for connection, we don’t bat an eye.

But, have you ever thought about how much these hubs of conversation and caffeine have changed over the years?

Many years ago, coffeehouses served only a few standard brews. And the community connection that occurred often centered around intellectuals meeting to discuss politics and literature.

Then, as specialty coffee gained popularity, cafes shifted to focus on quality brews, craftsmanship in roasting, and even artisanal brewing methods.

Today, many of these shifts are still implemented in coffee shops around the country, but as we included above, there’s been another expansion in cafe culture, one that focuses on connection, opportunity, convenience, and community.

So, we’d like to take some time to explore these changes, shifts, and expansions, looking at a variety of new trends taking hold in coffee shops and cafes all across the country.

Customer Perks And Conveniences

We’ll be looking at a variety of coffeehouse trends today, dividing these into two sections.

Later we’ll dive into all the ways coffee shops connect with their communities and customers, but first, let’s explore the ways cafes are now connecting with customers through convenience.

1- Online/Mobile Ordering

At this point, many of us are used to mobile orders for takeout, groceries, Target and Walmart orders, and more, so when coffee shops began offering these services, it didn’t seem like such a big deal.

But, in the fast-paced society that we live in, coffee shops offering these conveniences can truly be a perk you might be taking for granted.

Apps, mobile paying, and online ordering are such a big convenience for customers, so those cafes offering this quick, efficient service for busy coffee-lovers aren’t just keeping up with the times, they’re also helping you keep up with your busy schedule.

2- Plant-Based Offerings

The type of coffee served in cafes has changed drastically over the years.

Instead of just a few options, caff or decaf, medium or dark roast, now you can enjoy java from varying parts of the world, specialty beans, single origin beans, a variety of brewing methods, and more.

But, it’s not just the coffee that’s changed!

Today, coffee shops have evolved to include a variety of trending milk options as well.

For years, you might have had the following to choose from when looking for a creamy coffee add-in: low fat, 2%, and whole milk, half and half, heavy cream, or flavored creamers.

Then, occasionally you might have come across a coffee shop that offered soy milk as a dairy alternative.

Now, more and more cafes are offering a wide variety of plant-based options to accommodate all the likes, needs, and wishes of their customers.

In many chains coffee shops, you can now find oat milk, almond milk, and coconut milk as options to add to your brew or in regular menu staples as well.

And, in many small, local cafes, don’t be surprised if you find an even greater variety of options.

I live near Lexington, KY, where it seems there’s a coffee shop on every corner. And, it’s not uncommon to find cashew milk, pistachio milk, rice milk, and other lesser-known options.

These rare finds are such a delight to taste and try in a cafe, and it’s just another way coffee shops around the country are committed to serving their loyal customers.

3- Subscriptions And Rewards

If you thought subscriptions and rewards were just for Lifeboost customers, think again.

Another way coffee shops are staying relevant is by joining the subscription and reward bandwagon.

There are many companies that provide services like this to show their customers just how much they appreciate them, and cafes are joining suit.

Oftentimes these perks reward customers after a specified number of purchases with free cups of coffee or add-ins at no extra charge, sometimes even gifting accessories, etc. to let their customers know how much they appreciate their loyalty.

4- Healthy Add-Ins

Aside from expanding the type of coffee and milk/creamer offered in coffee shops, many locations are also taking notice of health trends their customers may find beneficial.

While each customer’s needs and desires may vary, cafes stay relevant by learning of health trends - one such trend being that of functional coffee.

Functional coffee incorporates additions or infusions meant to serve a healthy purpose.

In and of itself, a good, clean, healthy coffee offers incredible benefits to the body such as disease prevention, improvements in heart health, energy, cognitive performance, and so much more.

But, these benefits can be compounded by a few healthy additions, those which don’t affect the taste of your brew, but provide a few extras, if you will.

What are these extras?

Some cafes now offer coffee with added collagen, which has been shown to boost hair, skin, bone, and joint health, potentially enhance muscle mass, improve heart health, and more.

Other coffee shops now offer coffee infused with extra antioxidants to stack the powerful disease prevention benefits of this brew, protecting against some cancers, diabetes, heart disease, etc.

And, coffeehouses are even including trendy, brain health boosting, stress relieving, immunity enhancing infusions of adaptogens in their brews for their health-conscious customers.

Each of these added menu options may have seemed absurd to cafe owners 50 years ago, but today’s coffee shops aren’t just keeping up with the times, they’re also communicating to their customers that they care about what they care about…from flavor, preference, rewards, health, and more!

Connecting In Communities

If you ask me, each of the above listed ways that coffee shops are serving their customers communicates one thing - they care, and thus they seek to connect with customers by learning what people want, then delivering on those desires.

But, today’s coffee shop culture has truly taken the notion of connection to a whole new level, specifically in small, local cafes.

Those things we discussed thus far, you can find these cafe culture upgrades in both chain coffee shops and local coffee houses alike.

But, especially in community-specific cafes across the country, for the past few years, these places have transitioned from being a commonly known location where friends, family, and coworkers can meet to connect and collaborate, to a place where folks can actually connect with their communities at large.

It’s one thing to further enhance relationships you already have but consider the benefit of reaching beyond your immediate circle to help, learn of, and support those all throughout your community.

Coffee shops today are realizing the value in this type of connection, especially on the local level.

And, that’s why many cafes are now routinely including opportunities to do just that - connect!

Here’s just a few new trends you may see incorporated at a coffee shop near you…

5- Hosting Community Events & More

The small, mom and pop cafes in your neighborhood tend to reflect the character of the communities they serve.

In such coffee shops, you might find that they serve bakery items from a local baker, source their honey from a beekeeper only a few miles from the cafe or showcase artwork from talented artists in the area.

Each of these not only contribute to the charm of small cafes, but such endeavors also serve to support and bring recognition to other businesses and individuals within a given community.

Aside from this, today many town-specific cafes (and larger chains as well) host events which benefit the community.

From clothing and food drives to signs ups for local run events and more, cafes are opening their doors to provide a space for community outreach, where folks can learn of activities and charitable events going on in their own neighborhoods all while sipping a cup of coffee and chatting with others seeking to make their cities and towns a better place.

I mentioned above that I live near Lexington, KY, and one coffee shop here is widely known for their desire to provide a space for community members to connect in this precise way.

Brevede Coffee Shop routinely hosts workshops and advertises such opportunities to the community, making folks aware of their desire to host events as a way to inspire artists and others in the neighborhood to come together, connecting around coffee.

This is just one example in my neck of the woods, but cafes all across the country are opening their doors, sharing their space and their tasty brews, in an effort to bring communities together within the walls of their cafes.

6- Live Music

Open mic nights are no longer reserved for bars, clubs, and restaurants.

You can now find live music, often showcasing local talent, in a multitude of coffee shops.

And, while this seems to be a new trend, it’s actually an old pleasure that’s recently resurfaced.

Just after World War 2, finding inspiration from local jazz clubs, coffeehouses became stages for “beatnik poetry readings,” jazz musicians, folk music singers, and more.

Throughout this time period, many (now-famous) musicians were discovered in local cafes.

Bob Dylan, Bob Seeger, even Neil Young, and Joni Mitchell all spent some time in their early (pre-famous) days singing in cafes and coffee shops.

And, would it surprise you to know that these names are only an extremely small sampling of those with humble coffee house hosted beginnings?

Today, this practice of showcasing talent, primarily local, is not only a great way for cafes to support artists, but it’s also a great way you can support these musicians as well.

7- Book Clubs, Authors, And Artists

Music isn’t the only talent being showcased at coffee shops nowadays.

Many cafes are not only hosting local mic nights, but afternoons spent with authors, evenings spent with painters, and mornings sharing tables with book clubs.

Again, I’ll share with you some personal experiences, as I’ve seen these places and the showcased talent firsthand, but these trends are highlighted all across our great nation.

There’s a very tiny, practically standing room only, coffee shop in Lexington called High On Art And Coffee that is filled with sculptures, paintings, and jewelry crafted by local artists (located on High Street…thus the name). They serve up a wide variety of brews and many bakeries and lunch options highlighting talent from local bakers, farmers, etc.

Then, there’s another cafe not far from there that has open tables for artists to come in and paint while sipping their favorite brew.

Of course, I’m sure I’m not the only person who’s been to cafes that either house bookstores or are inside of an existing bookstore. And, in these locally owned/run coffee shops, you can routinely find a showcase of authors, sometimes bringing in crowds for book signings, meet the author nights, and other events to highlight such talents.

Even big chain coffee shops commonly provide the space and atmosphere where book-lovers can come and discuss book club happenings - chapter after chapter.

In fact, there’s a nationally known coffee cafe with several locations in my town, but one is classically known for hosting book clubs where moms come to share about their weekly reading material and connect with other moms in the area.

Oftentimes some of the moms need to bring their young children with them to these events, so the cafe now has installed a small bookshelf filled with a wide variety of children’s books, so the littles can love reading right alongside their coffee-sipping mommas. How cool is that?

8- Supporting Local Entrepreneurs

With the theme of community support being seen in many small coffee shops today, it’s not surprising that one trend involves supporting not only local musical, literary, and artistic talent, but entrepreneurs in the area as well.

Of course, cafes invite, host, and highlight these folks in a variety of ways.

We’ve already mentioned that many coffee shops support local entrepreneurs by sourcing ingredients for items they use in coffee recipes or breakfast/lunch menu favorites from neighborhood farmers, bakers, and other suppliers with their community.

But, coffee shops also highlight these individuals and the services they offer by inviting them to share their space to make community members aware of the products or services they offer.

In a town near where I grew up, there’s a local coffee shop that seems to constantly be finding new ways to bring their neighbors together.

They frequently make patrons aware of community events, needs, and new businesses.

But, they also host local entrepreneurs.

For instance, when visiting home, I’ve stopped in Amack’s Well Community Coffee House on occasion to grab a coffee and learn about essential oils from Sarah Pulskamp, owner of Gypsy Soul Essential Oils And Gifts (located only a few miles from the coffee shop).

The last time I stopped in, I tried a new iced coffee, beaded a bracelet, and made a roller with some grounding and relaxing essential oils…again I say - how cool is that?!

You see, local coffee shops, especially those committed to supporting folks living, working, and enjoying life within the same community, offer far more than a smile and a tasty brew.

For instance, I just thought of another unique coffee shop experience emphasizing this type of community connection!

I know of a lady and her husband who are in the final stages of opening a coffee shop in Richmond, KY called Brewtanicals Coffee House And Plant Lounge. Yep, a coffee house and plant lounge combined.

Their love for coffee and plants brought about a desire to open up a shop showcasing both, a place where other coffee and/or plant lovers can come to sip, relax, and connect, surrounded by a wide range of plants to view or buy.

There are truly so many ways to engage, learn, grow, and connect in today’s coffee shop culture!

We’ve covered the most common ways this has been occurring, but there are likely events, meetings, and more taking place in the coffee shops near you.

Our advice? Take advantage of these opportunities to support and connect with those living in your neighborhood, town, city, or community.

Does music interest you? Plan to spend an afternoon or evening at your local cafe listening to up and coming musicians, sipping coffee and making new friends!

The same goes for books, art, and more.

More is obviously location specific, but there’s likely some gems to find if you just engage.

This is a long one, but perhaps the saying should go: have space, have coffee, have people, have interests, have community…will connect!

I hope you’ve enjoyed our journey through these customer-desired, convenient, and community/connection-based trends we’re happily seeing in coffee shop culture all across the country.

Check out Lifeboost Coffee Grata Medium Roast .

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