My Biz: Cedar Rapids' Blue Strawberry cashes in on caffeine

Mike Monahan had always thought about opening a coffee shop.

He had experience as an entrepreneur. He owned a landscaping business and operated a grain elevator.

And in 2003, he wanted an investment — a hands-on investment. So he quit his job to start his coffee shop.

When Monahan bought the building that the Blue Strawberry Coffee Company now sits in, it was totally gutted, he said. He began developing a business to serve the downtown workforce, adding that he worked for two months to prepare the space before opening in September 2003.

Monahan picked the name because of its distinctive 'New England feel.' The Blue Strawberry, 118 Second St. SE, is a coffee shop that also serves pastries, desserts and lunch options.

Monahan said the coffee shop offers an alternative to bar food in the downtown area. The chicken avocado sandwich is his favorite, but the turkey provolone is the store's signature, he said.

Downtown workers have become his primary customers. The coffee shop provides them the opportunity to stop in for a 'pre-work start,' he said. The morning through the midafternoon brings in most of his customers.

Monahan said owning the coffee shop has pushed him into a hands-on role, working every day, up to 70 hours a week, with 10 to 15 employees working at the shop.

The business roasts its own coffee beans, a process that separates the Blue Strawberry from the other downtown coffee shops. It takes roughly 20 minutes to roast a 20-pound bag, he said. He thinks the additional expense prevents people from doing it, but said that it is worthwhile.

'You're providing more control over the final product,' he said.

And for others looking to start a business, Monahan said having a specialty is essential, like the in-house roasted coffee.

Before the Flood of 2008, Monahan said, the business was poised to expand, but that plan was put on hold and later dismissed.

Even after the flood, downtown businesses, including the Blue Strawberry, faced a common problem — the recession.

'It's a question of getting enough people downtown to support businesses,' he said.

Monahan said he thinks there is room for him to expand regionally and within Cedar Rapids, but he does not have any immediate plans to do so.

Despite the ups and downs of the economy, Monahan said one aspect of business remains fairly consistent — coffee sales.

'I don't think people want to give up their caffeine fix,' he said.

•Know of a manager or company in business for more than a year that would be ideal for 'My Biz'? Contact Chelsea Keenan at Chelsea.keenan@sourcemedia.net

At a glance

Business

: The Blue Strawberry

Owner

: Mike Monahan

Address

: 118 Second St. SE, Cedar Rapids

Phone

: (319) 247-2583

Website

: www.blue-strawberry.com