Insider's Guide to Overflow

Here are a five "insider" tips for making the best of your Overflow experience.

#1 We reward loyalty!  We're part of the FiveStars network.  Grab a FiveStars card when you come in and earn 1 point for every coffee/tea and 2 points per espresso drink.  Earn 9 points and you get a free coffee or tea.  Earn 18 points and you get a free espresso drink. Plus, earn Double Points Every Friday from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM! You just have to remember to use your card.

#2 Refill Policy - FREE coffee refills when you buy an espresso drink.  50% off coffee refills when you buy coffee.

#3 Free Wi-Fi for customers.  We give you the password when you make your purchase.

#4 No Paper or Plastic Discounts - Pay cash and bring in your own mug or have your drink in a mug "for here" and get $0.20 off your drink's cost.

 #5 Stay Social - Follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook or join our mailing list.  We announce special events and deals, give away coupons and invite people to events this way.  Check out our Eventbrite page for a partial listing of upcoming events.

This Month at Overflow

Here's a quick summary of events happening this month.  Click on the links for more info.

Open Mic and More!
Saturday, May 5
5:30pm
More info here.

Call and Response Documentary Film Screening
with discussion facilitated by Traffick Free
Thursday, May 24
7:00pm
Get more info and reserve your seat here.
Watch the trailer.

We also have Art & Discussion every Sunday evening at 6:30.  Click here for more information.

Insider's Guide to Overflow

THIS POST IS OUT OF DATE!  See the New Insider's Guide for current suggestions.

Here are a five "insider" tips for making the best of your Overflow experience.

#1 We reward loyalty!  Be sure to start one of our loyalty cards.  With espresso drinks, you get your 5th half off and your 10th FREE.  With coffee and tea, you get your 10th FREE.  You just have to remember to use it.

#2 Refill Policy - FREE coffee refills when you buy an espresso drink.  50% off coffee refills when you buy coffee.

#3 Free Wi-Fi for customers.  We give you the password when you make your purchase.

#4 Mug Discounts - Bring in your own mug or have your drink in a mug "for here" and get $0.20 off your drink's cost.  Purchase an Overflow tumbler and get $0.30 off your drink when you use it.

 #5 Social Media - Follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook or join our mailing list.  We announce special deals, give away coupons and invite people to events this way.

The 100th Fan on Facebook

We interviewed Sarah, the person who became the 100th Fan of Overflow Coffee Bar on Facebook.  Sarah is a mom and spends what free-time she has volunteering to help build community.  Here's what she had to say:

Overflow: Why did you become a fan of Overflow Coffee Bar?
Sarah:  I became a fan of Overflow Coffee Bar because I love what they are about! So many people are dying to feel like they are a part of a family/community. They need to feel like they aren't alone in the world. To be able to come to a place and sit and have a simple cup of coffee or tea and build relationships with the people there may be the very thing that keeps them keeping on!

Overflow: What is your dream for Overflow Coffee Bar?
Sarah: To see it be a place where people come in for coffee and leave feeling loved, cared for, needed, wanted. Way more than they bargained for!

Overflow: What's your favorite coffee or tea drink?
Sarah: I love mochas, yum chocolate and coffee in the same cup. What could be better than that.

Overflow: What's your passion? What keeps you up at night? What brings tears to your eyes?
Sarah: My passion is seeing people loved unconditionally. Watching someone who hasn't been loved and seeing their whole life change because they realize that someone loves them just the way they are is just amazing to me. Someone did that for me, so now I live to do that for others.

Overflow: What kind of art do you like to appreciate?
Sarah: I am the most non-artistic person on the planet. I am creatively challenged and I don't even really ever stop to look at art. BUT this past weekend for the first time I watched someone paint on a blank canvas and when they were done, I was amazed. Watching them create something out of nothing just spoke to me. It was like they were telling a story with each stroke. I was moved to tears as they painted and created this picture. I may not be able to create anything but I sure do get why people appreciate art now. So before this past weekend, I didn't appreciate art much at all, but now I think I will more.

Photographs and E-Newsletter

Photographs from "Think Global, Drink Local" are now available for viewing at www.facebook.com/overflowcoffeebar. 

The November Overflow Coffee Connections e-newsletter is also available.  Download it at http://www.overflowcoffeebar.org/200911overflowcoffeeconnection.pdf or view it by clicking below.

preparing for the event

Currently we have 23 confirmed guests for "Think Global, Drink Local."  We also have over 30 maybes, including an elected official !?!  We only have room for 50 people so get your RSVP confirmed as quickly as possible.  The event is only 10 days away.

To view the event flyer: http://www.overflowcoffeebar.org/OctoberEventFlyer.pdf. 

To view the event on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=149855851497&index=1.

Naming Our Educational Events

In October we are going to be starting educational events. These events will include: (1) a presentation about direct trade, environment, art and/or volunteerism with practical tips for living a more purposeful life, (2) coffee and desserts, (3) information about Overflow Coffee Bar and how we do the stuff talked about in the presentation, (4) networking, etc.

We need a catchy name for these events. Submit your ideas and we'll choose the one we like to most. Winner gets free admission to the October educational event for you and your guest. Submission Deadline: September 30.
 
Submissions can be made via the dicussions tab of our facebook page(http://www.facebook.com/pages/Overflow-Coffee-Bar/136490876065), by facebook message or by email.

2 weeks...

It's been 2 weeks since the first newsletter was published and at least 91 people have viewed the newsletter at least 156 times. That's a lot. Wow! I'm impressed.

We also have 9 followers of the blog and 23 fans on facebook (Overflow Coffee Bar on Facebook).

On the one hand, this is all very encouraging. On the other hand, we still have $0. I mean, people have given $40 but it's already been used for government applications and filings and such. I'm hoping this changes soon because we need the $750 for the 501(c)3 application that I'm almost ready to send in.

Please note: I'm not all about the numbers... I just find them helpful in articulating stuff. We've also been having some good qualitative conversations with neighbors here in the South Loop. It would take way too long to tell you about them all. :)