How to entice customers back to your cafe (Sayers)

Oct 17, 2014 | Enjoy life/Reviews, Food, Review

The food game, like most others, is all about repeat business. So how do you ensure customers keep coming back? We all know the basics, good food, great service, reasonable prices, but last week I was reminded of another important factor, a factor which is usually associated with community development.

Sayers Leederville © The Ponder Room

Last week I dropped in to Sayers in Leederville and was reminded about the importance of ‘Place’ or as it is sometimes called ‘Place Setting’ … no I don’t mean how the knives and forks are arranged on the table. I mean the development of the ‘Place’, the ambience.

Sayers Leederville © The Ponder Room

Recent years have seen considerable research undertaken into why consumers form attachments to one place and not others.

Urban planners are using this research to create dynamic community spaces that will not only attract consumers, but encourage them to stay longer. Consequently ‘Place Setting’ is becoming more and more important as consumers become more discerning.

So how can this be applied to the restaurant trade?

Sayers is a good example of this.

Yes the environment was clean and welcoming, however the owners had gone a step further.

As I sat eating my salmon and asparagus tart, I pondered how the managers had been able to create a series of well-defined spaces, each one fitting my ever changing mood.

Out the back was a relaxing courtyard. As I sat there eating my lunch I pondered that it could work for communal dining, a large party, or as a quiet retreat from the world.

Sayers Leederville © The Ponder Room

The side laneway was the perfect place for an indulgent afternoon hot chocolate and cake. It was also the ideal place for a serious dissection of a friends relationship, apparently. At least that’s what appeared to be taking place at the table in front of me.

Sayers © The Ponder Room

Inside was a dark hug of a room, crammed full of people during the lunchtime rush. Great if you want to keep your adrenaline levels up but less so for a quiet read of the paper.

After finishing my lunch I went back to work, only to return three days later for that quiet hot chocolate in the laneway.

As society becomes more complex it’s good to find a place that can cater to our ever growing moods. I should warn you though …

Sayers © The Ponder Room

If your mood has anything to do with a strict, no carbs, no sugar, no taste diet … avoid this café like the plague.

The serving sizes and the mindbogglingly scrumptious array of gorgeous cakes may see you spiral down into a mood that no seating plan, with or without cushions, could accommodate.

The hot chocolate even come with extra chocolate … these people have no mercy.

I’m always interested in finding unusual places so if you know of somewhere I should try please let me know.

http://www.sayersfood.com.au/