US – Ground Zero Coffee Shop joins Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A new locally owned coffee house in Myrtle Beach plans to minister to teens with java, a safe place to hang out, video games and live entertainment. Featuring handcrafted beverages from Ohio coffee roaster Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea, Ground Zero Coffee Shop held its grand opening Oct. 14 in the former Rivoli movie theater at 904 Chester Street, between Ninth Avenue North and Joe White Avenue just two blocks from the beach.
Non-profit Christian youth ministry Ground Zero turned to Crimson Cup for help in transforming the concession stand of a 1950s-era movie theater into a profitable coffee shop staffed entirely by volunteers. Through its coffee franchise alternative, Crimson Cup has helped establish hundreds of independent coffee shops in 28 states.
“We’re excited to welcome Ground Zero Coffee Shop to our growing community of independent coffee businesses,” said Greg Ubert, founder and president. “In addition to awesome coffee, Ground Zero offers high energy, positive experiences for teenagers to connect within a safe and inviting environment.”
Ground Zero Coffee Shop is open Monday through Saturday to the public. Using hand-roasted coffee, syrups and other ingredients from Crimson Cup, volunteer baristas serve delicious hot and cold espresso, cappuccino and mocha drinks, drip coffee, smoothies, Italian sodas and hot and iced teas.
In addition to the coffee bar, Ground Zero offers a teen club with video game stations, meeting rooms, a cafe and a stage for live performances by nationally touring Christian musicians and comedians. Opening night celebrations include performances by Fireflight and Royal Tailor on Oct. 18.
Ground Zero ministry volunteers learned to prepare drinks and operate a coffee shop through Crimson Cup’s Seven Steps to Success coffee shop franchise alternative program, based on Ubert’s book, “Seven Steps to Success in the Specialty Coffee Industry.” This commonsense guide covers everything needed to start and run an independent coffee shop.
“Our Seven Steps program is perfect for non-profit organizations because it offers all the support of a coffee franchise – and more – but without franchise fees, royalties or business restrictions,” Ubert said. “Our consulting services, which include business plan development, site evaluation, on-site training, marketing materials, menu ideas and much more, are all designed to help reduce costs, increase profits and eliminate potential headaches.”
“Over the past year alone, we have helped 15 new business owners and non-profit organizations realize their dream of running an independent coffee business,” Ubert said.