Chic Spotlight: Valet Coffee
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The chamber welcomed Valet Coffee and owner Marilynn Ritter (left of center in a striped top) |
Cincy Chic: What did you do before launching Valet Coffee?
Marilynn Ritter, Owner of Valet Coffee: I spent 20 years in the airline business, learning and working in all phases of aviation. I worked at American Airlines in the reservation office both in Cincinnati and at Dallas International Airport as a customer service manager. I enjoyed a management job at Frontier airlines and retired from Frontier Airlines as a flight attendant. Before aviation I owned and operated a beauty salon for 15 years.
Cincy Chic: When and why did you launch Valet Coffee?
Ritter: I launched Valet Coffee in January 2012 because I wanted to retire from the airline business and knew I had to create a life I would enjoy living. I love coffee, and thought of a coffee shop and book store, but the investment was more than I wanted to invest. That is when I realized I could bring the “coffee house” to the event.
Cincy Chic: What makes Valet Coffee unique?
Ritter: We are a mobile espresso and smoothie bar. We bring the coffee house to your event. A coffee bar that comes to your office before a meeting, to help kick off a project, attend an open house, wedding or birthday party? I can’t think of an event where having the coffee bar is not a welcome addition to any event.
We also personalize the menu. We name the drinks after your business or event. This is a great marketing tool. Because we are mobile coffee cart, a business can send Valet Coffee to another business to thank them for their business or get their foot in the door to do future business. There are several ways Valet Coffee can work for you, to make your event a success.
Cincy Chic: What are your price ranges?
Ritter: Price ranges from 50 people for $295 for 2 hours of service and unlimited drinks. We serve up up to 1,000 people. If you have more than 500 people at an event we bring two coffee bars.
Cincy Chic: What variety of events do you participate in?
Ritter: We do weddings, wedding showers, monthly meetings at businesses and so much more. We can help a business kick off a new project. We also attend grand openings, birthday and office parties. A smoothie bar is also a great addition to your summer pool party and businesses love the smoothie bar at their summer employees’ picnic.
Cincy Chic: What are your top sellers and personal favorites?
Ritter: Favorites include “Thanks a Latte” with caramel and vanilla flavoring, steamed milk, hot espresso and topped with homemade whipped cream. I also like “Mocha My Day” with chocolate, caramel, hot espresso, steamed milk and homemade whipped cream.
Cincy Chic: Is there anything new on the horizon for Valet Coffee?
Ritter: We have new drinks every two months. Then from November through the end of March we offer a free hot chocolate bar when you have the coffee bar with three or four different flavors to add to your hot chocolate and a variety of toppings from marshmallows to toffee bits. From April to October we offer a free frappe bar when you have the smoothie bar with flavors including mocha, caramel and sea salt.
Cincy Chic: Where can readers go to learn more or order Valet Coffee?
Ritter: Readers can visit www.valetcoffee.com, “like” us on Facebook or call me at 859-409-1628.
