CoffeeHead

Photos by: EMMA HIGHFILL

As an unapologetic coffee head addict, one of my favorite things is discovering local shops that offer their own take on a great cup of coffee. So, when a friend told me about CoffeeHead, a place I had yet to visit, I was intrigued. The name itself called to me like a bee to honey, and after reading what the name coffeehead means, I figured out why.

According to the Urban Dictionary, a coffeehead is someone who enjoys drinking six to seven cups of coffee a day, preferably in a cafe with their laptop so everyone can see them write.

With laptop in hand, I headed out to see if CoffeeHead could live up to its name. Even though I had the address programmed into my phone, I missed it on the first pass. Then again on the second. The red pin on my navigation system was telling me to turn in to a Quick Stop. Then I saw the sign. Sure enough, there it was, on the end of the building in what used to be a garage attached to the convenience store at 3101 SW 29th St.

SMELLS LIKE HEAVEN

I parked and headed inside, wondering if my friend might have led me astray. Those fears were diminished the minute I walked through the door. Tiny but quaint, the little shop smelled like heaven. The menu board showed the traditional lattes and cappuccinos you would expect from a coffee shop, but it had some things I hadn’t encountered before, like milk teas and boba, as well as CBD infused teas.

With a lavender latte in hand, I sat down to talk business with owner Victoria Wu.

Victoria opened CoffeeHead in November 2019 on the recommendation of her husband, who owns the gas station and convenience store next door. He suggested she use her passion for coffee to turn the unused garage space into a coffee shop.

“I always said my dream was to spend all day in a coffee shop,” Victoria laughed. “I just didn’t think it would be as the owner.”

She didn’t know the first thing about running a business but didn’t let that stop her. She did her homework, found a coffee supplier in Kansas City, bought the barista equipment, and then started designing her menu. Obviously, she would serve coffee, but she also wanted to bring in some of her Chinese heritage as well by serving traditional milk tea. That decision has not only set CoffeeHead apart but also created a whole new target audience.

“People love the milk tea. There is only one other place in Topeka that offers it,” Victoria said.

Because she grew up drinking traditional milk tea, she understands what it should taste like. When she couldn’t find a supplier that offered what she was looking for, she created her own milk tea recipe. Unlike most places in the states that make milk tea, she doesn’t use any powders or artificial ingredients. Her milk tea only contains real milk, organic tea and heavy cream. In fact, she is so picky about the flavors that she began making her own syrups for the tea and coffee so she gets the exact results she is looking for.

SMALL BUSINESS CHALLENGES

While creating great tasting coffee and tea is easy for Victoria, running the business is not. She has had to learn all aspects of running a small business, from record keeping and sales reporting to marketing and staffing.

“There is no school for owning a coffee shop,” Victoria said. “I didn’t even know if I was professional enough to pull this off.”

And then there are the long hours. As an employee, you go home when your shift is done. As the owner, you take work home with you.

“I pretty much do everything,” Victoria said. “I spend all day at the shop, and then when I get home, I am working on the books or shopping for product. It can get pretty exhausting.”

She has hired two employees at the store which has helped.

Just when she thought things were running smoothly, the pandemic hit and shut them down for three months. But when she opened her doors back up, her loyal customers came right back in. With an active focus on social media, including showcasing some of her new home-baked pastry items that the shop sells on weekends, business has been picking up steadily as word is spreading about the great coffee and unique menu items.

Even at 2 o’clock in the afternoon, a steady stream of customers kept flowing in the door. Regulars would greet Victoria with a “hello, you know what I want.” And newbies would ask for recommendations or explanations about the tea.

All I know is that I am definitely going back for another lavender latte.