Austin Simms manages a coffee shop in Roanoke, Virginia, where he recently did something so clever it went viral. Shortly after becoming the owner of CUPS Coffee & Tea, Austin started to recognize a trend: People were coming into his shop, looking down at their phones, murmuring out their orders, and sitting down with minimal interaction.
Then the staff at CUPS Coffee & Tea began to complain they were working with too many rude customers. Just as Austin’s patience started to wear thin, he had an idea…
“I decided, because I need to solve all the injustices of the world, to start charging more for people who don’t take the time to say hello and connect and realize we’re all people behind this counter,” Austin told WDBJ7, his local news station.
He Placed This Sign In Front Of His Store:
People started taking photos of the sign immediately, saying that it needed to go viral to bring the world back to what really matters. More news stations in the towns surrounding Roanoke caught wind of what was happening at the hole-in-the-wall shop and they came out to interview the crew.
The Sign Boosted Business In A Great Way
Austin explained to the local news stations that his intention was never to attract all the attention. He wasn’t thinking of ways to go viral. He simply wrote the sign in haste on a sandwich board, hoping that it would bring some cheer into the shop.
Austin’s sign more than worked. It’s kept rude customers from coming through the doors, it’s increased business and smiles, and it’s encouraged conversations throughout the shop.
So if you ever find yourself in Roanoke in need of some brew, stop into CUPS Coffee & Tea where they’ll exchange a coffee for a smile.