Cafe goes cashless
Downtown espresso bar stops accepting paper currency, coings after robbery attempt
An attempted robbery early last week provided the impetus needed for a downtown coffee shop to become completely cash-free.
Caffeina Espresso Bar owner Andreas Avdoulos was alone at closing time at about 4 p.m. when two people tried to steal his iPad and cash register while he was in the kitchen.
Nothing was stolen, but damage – including replacing the device and fixing a broken base – was estimated at approximately $600.
Avdoulos, who did not report the incident to city police, then made the decision to stop accepting cash payment for the safety of his staff.
“What is it was one of my employees?” he asked, pointing out that he wouldn’t expect his employees to do anything to stop would-be robbers.
Avdoulos shared the news with his customers Wednesday via Twitter, stating “This decision keeps our staff safe, and makes our cafe efficient.”
The decision was made easier by the fact that since the business opened in June 2016, approximately 80 per cent of transactions have been by credit card or debit.
The response over the past nine days has been nearly entirely positive, Avdoulos said. While he did get some grief from someone from out of province who was passing through, no one has left the familyoperated cafe at 144 Hunter St. W as a result of the new policy.
There are many benefits to being cash-free, Avdoulos explained. The store is cleaner without cash on the premises, and staff can leave right at closing time without having to count it.
There are no more bank runs and associated fees and most importantly, staff can make drinks while customers are paying – shaving as many as 25 to 30 seconds off each transaction.
“When we have a rush, it’s just tap and go,” he said.
The store, which uses the Square electronic payment system, offers reloadable gift cards – which don’t incur subsequent transaction fees after you’ve loaded them up.
Many stores in bigger cities have went cashless, for its efficiency and cleanliness, Avdoulos said, adding that he expects more will follow suit.
Caffeina, which also serves lunch from Monday to Friday, also encourages customers to bring in their own mugs to save $0.50 off their order as it works on a reusable cup solution.
NOTES: Caffeina is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday ... For more information on Caffeina, call 705-808-4822 or visit www.caffeina.ca ... Caffeina is also on Twitter at www.twitter. com/caffeinaPTBO and Instagram at www.instagram.com/caffeinaptbo .