Mr. Hartlieb-Reichardt considers Kenyan beans to be among the finest in the world. Organically grown coffees are produced without chemical fertilizers. Some small farms in poor countries grow coffee organically but can't afford certification. Coffee plants grow best in shaded environments. In order to produce, those plants must be heavily fertilized.
People see new products, better products, consistent friendly staffing, and a new look to the store.
And the people working behind the counter recognize the importance of building a relationship with the customer. Customers are a mix of local residents, students from Xavier University and the University of Cincinnati, folks who work in the neighborhood, and people from farther afield who hear the store's underwriting announcements on public radio stations. To make the store a more appealing place to sit and linger, the owners installed new tables and chairs, comfy couches and activities for children. To keep folks coming back, they began to develop a more comprehensive stock of coffees. That was the fun part.