We had the opportunity to speak with Nate Mollenhauer of the James Gang Coffeehouse and Eatery. Read more about this Northfield small business owner in our interview below.
Tell us about how you came to your business. How did you get involved in the industry?
We (myself and partners) had been looking at getting into the food industry for a couple of years. We did not find the right fit until we came across James Gang Coffeehouse and Eatery, which was the perfect fit for us and our families. Honestly, we kind of fell into the business. I was having a conversation with someone who mentioned that James Gang was for sale. I began to inquire and then pitched it to our partners, and we jumped on the opportunity.
The coffee industry is very competitive. We have a fantastic organic, sustainable supplier that roasts our beans to perfection. We work with them to get the correct blends and ensure that we provide a superior cup of coffee to our customers. Bobby, one of our partners, has been involved in the food industry for almost 2 decades. He brings a lot of knowledge about food quality and preparation to our business.
This allows us to continue to look at our menu and ensure that we are providing our customers with the best food in town. We pride ourselves on the freshness and organic quality.
Where do you see your business going in the future?
Customer service and quality are very important to us. We feel that is what will separate us from the competition see the business to continue to grow and become more involved in the community. Right now, we are in the process of revamping some of our menu items. We will continue to serve organic and locally grown products.
Why is your business located in Northfield? What about Northfield benefits your business?
We are located in the Heritage Square complex and we are excited to be located here. This gives us great visibility to Highway 3 and also close proximity to Dundas so we are able to service all the residents there as well.
Northfield is a great city to be located in because of the people. We have a community that will support the local business owners and are loyal. We love all of our “regulars” they have their special drinks and food that we custom make for them.
Tell us about the space your business is located in. Is there anything you do to use the space that feels unique to your business?
James Gang is located in a quaint space. We love being the go-to place for connections to happen. Whether it is a business meeting, working, studying or just meeting for fun we have space for it.
We are the only coffee-shop in town that has a drive-thru. This is a great advantage to our business! This is something that we will really try and perfect and increase over the next year.
We also utilize our space for after-hours events. There was a group of 25 runners that were participating in a 4K that we served while they were in town. This was a great event for not only them, but for us as well. We want to continue to utilize our space for unique events like this as well as company parties, large gatherings, etc.
What advice do you have for other business owners looking for a space?
Research the space that best suits your business. Ensure your space works for your business. Is it good for right now or can you grow into it? We found a space that we utilize every square foot. Is the space have the visibility and traffic that you are desiring for your business? Do you need a space with high visibility or can you look at a more inexpensive space with lower visibility? What are the businesses that surround the space you are looking at? Will they benefit your business? Will they hurt your business?
