Through it all, we maintained the same beverage pricing structure at our shops, a structure that has been in place for multiple years now. However, the pandemic created a number of increased operational costs, including PPE for our staff, increased use of to-go packaging, and increased processing fees as part of our pivot to contactless online ordering. Honoring all aspects of the coffee supply chain is also a central value at Commonplace. Through the leadership of our Roasting Operations Manager, Dave Smallhoover, we’ve continued to pay well above market and fair trade rates for our green coffee as we focus on building long term relationships and fixed-price contracts with coffee growers. With all of the above considerations in mind, we made the decision to increase beverage prices at our shops. Why tell you all of this instead of sneaking in an adjustment and only addressing it if asked? Because Commonplace is community, and you don’t build community without communication. On average, drink prices will increase approximately 10%. That amount will allow us to effectively run our business and support our staff, while putting the same Craft & Care into every product we deliver to our guests.
BUT this price adjustment does come with a silver lining.
Given the rise in demand for alternative milks, and our mission of creating Solid Ground For All, we have built alternative milk options into our new pricing. There will no longer be an extra fee or upcharge for alternative milks. We’ve proudly worked with Oatly since 2018, and in early 2020, they became our exclusive alternative milk option. Oat milk is by far the most sustainable milk option on the market, and Oatly has consistently demonstrated its commitment to sustainability. We feel strongly about sustainability, and while the increase in takeout orders has made that difficult during the pandemic, this is one step we can take to lower our carbon footprint. For our dairy drinkers out there, we’ll continue carry whole and skim milks, and there will no longer be an upcharge for breve beverages! Although increasing prices is never any easy decision, we are excited about what it means to offer inclusive pricing for alternative milks to our guests. We appreciate the opportunity to serve you and for your support as we take this next step. Signed with Craft and Care, Robert Chaffin, Director of Operations at Commonplace Coffee.
