Gramstand - community tea cafe
Idea Description
Originating as a small stand selling grams of tea, the Gramstand has grown into a tea cafe and art space, providing local East Villagers with a modern-day retreat that invites conversation, relaxation, and event rental space. We sell house-crafted, loose tea drinks to-stay or to-go.
The idea is to make fine, loose tea more casual and accessible. We hope to market our tea environments in a way that encourages community, arts, gathering, and studying.
What will you do if you win $10,000 for this idea?
With these funds, we plan to increase our menu options, renovate the store for more community gatherings, and enhance our website. Most notably for our customers, we plan on installing bifold front windows and new air conditioning for the summer. As well, we'd like to fix up the basement seating space a bit more.
Comments
Add a commentI started going to the Gramstand when it was at its first tiny location. I remember thinking how quirky the staff was. They continue to impress me with creativity and passion in the cafe.
i'm pretty much obsessed with everything gramstand. especially that pear tea.
I've been a loyal customer since they opened in their first, closet-sized location on Irving Place. Great tea, great atmosphere. One of my favorite places in NYC.
Gramstand is a terrific place offering some delicious and unique beverages! Awesome atmosphere and cool art! Peace, Erika shutter-girl.com
I miss the crowds at Gramstand. The road tour is going well though! Rock on pidegons.
THE BEST TEA EVER! opening the windows and sidewalk seating would make a lovely setting for a summer afternoon iced tea date.
i AGREE, tea is healthy! i know how IMPORTANT social atmospheres are, with good vibes & friendly faces! i know you'll win on those two points, yet i must ask that your voters, vote to save lives, & when this happens...i will invest in your cup of tea of grams. This comment will prove the kindness i intend on sharing with a larger public than i possibly could if i only asked you to vote for the Life Float. Let us work together & see what kinds of crowds we can influence to drink, eat & share healthy. Your friend to the end & our new beginning. inione. Honesty is my first policy!
If you want to know a great idea blobb. It's the Gramstand's Agito. Genisus of a drink... with caramel. YUM.
Tea for life! It's real! Changing the world, one cup at a time.
Did you know... the steep their chai in cream or soy, with real tea and spices as opposed to those lame boxed concentrates.
go gramstand!!!! you guys always do such a great job. PS thanks for the best birthday party ever.
I'd just like to show my support for this likeable concept. As you say on your website, "a modern day retreat." A much needed venue, especially in nyc--- a place I dislike.
gramstand is in my blood. seriously, it is. I got checked out and the doctor said, "it looks like you have gramstand in your blood." great staff, great atmosphere, and all around great vibes.
Gramstand is awesome. It's a really great place that brings together people. Long live Gramstand!
Gramstand absolutely rocks! Been hosting Mind Petals Organization (mindpetals.org) gatherings for almost a year now and it just keeps on getting better. Gooooo!!! Gramstand!!!!!
Tea is AMAZING!! Tea is an experience. Get with the TEA revolution baby!!!
I'm all for your improvement ideas for Gramstand. Can't wait to enjoy my cup of tea. I hope and pray you win.
Great idea, I am from the Caribbean region, in the Caribbean we have a British influence and as such we love tea. It will be nice to market to the Caribbean. Charlene
Mango teaccinos! Gramstand our favorite hangout, it's like hanging out in a friend's basement (but much larger and cozier at the same time). And Josh is awesome! Thanks for putting up with us :)
This log-in stuff is not my cup of tea, but shawn got through it for you as always. :)
Great staff and a perfect place to sit and relax and get some work done in a calm environment. Great job!
you won over my hardened, coffee drinking heart, you little gramstand devil, you. it must be love!!
Sounds like it's a magic place. We need better tea (and coffee) shops in my area.
I will eat you out of cupcakes and pumkin muffins. Mark my word.
I know what the store needs. Some photography by Amy Rollo on the walls!!! I'll be in soon with prints... =)
i love the idea of open windows in the summer. outside without being outside. brilliants.
Ask her to heat up the pumkin muffin with butter. It's delicious, Seriously.
When ask what I, myself, like about the concept is the little things like the fact that they carry legos.
make sure you prepare the tea singing Frank Sinatra's "My Way" Goodluck Gcafe'
make sure you prepare the tea singing Frank Sinatra's "My Way" Goodluck Gcafe'
make sure you prepare the tea singing Frank Sinatra's "My Way" Goodluck Gcafe'
make sure you prepare the tea singing Frank Sinatra's "My Way" Goodluck Gcafe'
make sure you prepare the tea singing Frank Sinatra's "My Way" Goodluck Gcafe'
the concept behind this place is very innovative. it has become a great place to get a drink and hang out.
The Gramstand is a place where every one knows your name, like Cheers, except Sam Malone is played by Jake Broffman instead of Ted Danson.
Wish I lived in New York so I could visit Gramstand. As an East Coast transplant, I often consider moving to New York for just such great community places. Arts and great people. ta-da !!! alcohol free is terrific ! I'm checking out the web site. best to Gramstand.
Now I hope I didn't miss the deadline because I want my vote to count. Good luck ya here.
I love you guys - great idea, great food, great place, great people - Go Gramstand!!
The teas and cupcakes are wonderful, and I love the art - Richard, Josh and all the staff are fabulous!!
i could use a green tea agito right now...2 splendas....hits the spot.
Questions I need advice on
- Q1.
- How do we attract a social, late night (after 10pm) crowd without a liquor license? Respond
Click here to give general advice
Advice
stay open later. i would be there right now buying a large soy chai, light on the sugar
There are many people out there who don't need liquor to have a good time. What I think you should do is profile the people you want to have there. Or figure out the profile of people who don't need liquor to socialize and find out what they'd like to have at the cafe.
I would try to setup some kind of partnership with meetup.com where you can be listed as a suggested meeting place.
Try appealing to people who aren't allowed to drink yet, the under 21 crowd. It's always tough for them to find social things to do in the city at 10pm.
From what I hear, there is a lack of non-alcoholic nightlife options in your area. Advertise that you're a place for late nate studies, reading, and conversing. Tea is a nighttime beverage as well.
Upgrade the food options, but don't make them silly, offer some sort of "mixer theme" and get people from the neighborhood to buy into the ideas. Allow people to host "parties" and have them do all the work for you (minus providing the space and tea for purchase."
Poetry--contact established poetry collectives with a loyal following. Meetups of various organizations--they come for the meeting, they fall in love with the cafe.
Open later. Advertise to nearby college communities (NYU, New School) via college newspapers, flyers, or social networking sites
- acoustic late-night music for start-up bands, from 1am-2am only - they invite their friends and play for free, or small fee to get noticed
- art sales only offered from 12am-1am in the morning, by local start-up artists (or start them at 10pm, and as they get popular, move back their time slots to attract people later)
- host local groups, so they have the space for meetings for free, if they buy food/tea
- sponsor AA meetings
jazz nights? citrus berry champanges? could it be a reality. love the gstand