Skip to content

Opening Checklist – Sips & Souls Cafe

Status: LIVING – Please mark up this document with edit suggestions, order changes, etc.

Opening happens in two phases. Phase 1 is the minimum to take the first order — doors open as soon as it's done. Phase 2 is the rest of setup.

Early opens (Thu/Fri 5am): Open after Phase 1; complete Phase 2 during early service. Later opens (Sat/Sun 9am): Arrive early, complete both phases before unlocking.

Phase 1: Pre-Open

Everything needed to take the first order.

Arrival

  • Enter via back door
  • Disarm alarm
  • Turn on main lights
  • Clock in on SpotOn ← before anything else
  • Turn on indoor music; set to service volume

Cash

  • Pull float from drop safe
  • Count float: verify $150 in bills
  • Note any variance from prior night's cash-out report

Open

  • Turn on OPEN signs (front window, fulfillment window)
  • Flip door signs to OPEN (front and back)
  • Unlock front door

Phase 2: Setup

Early opens (Thu/Fri): Complete after unlocking — can happen while serving the first customers. Later opens (Sat/Sun): Complete before unlocking. Arrive early enough to finish Phase 2 first.

Bar

  • Pull test shot; dial in grinder as needed
  • Pull pre-wrapped pastries from storage; arrange in pastry case
  • Update SpotOn inventory for each pastry item put out
  • Set up drip brewer: grind beans, fill water, set up filter — do not brew until first customer orders drip
  • Stock cups, lids, sleeves, straws

Floor

  • Unstack chairs; place at tables
  • Set up condiment/sugar station
  • Set outdoor speaker volume (Zones 1 and 2) to service level
  • Turn on pendant lights; adjust to service level
  • Turn on Grab & Go fridge light

Bathroom

  • Quick verify: clean and stocked from close (log anything that needs attention)

Notes

  • Espresso dial-in procedure: TBD — to be documented with Harrison.
  • Closing leaves the espresso machine on. If it's off at open, that's a closing error — log it on the bulletin board.
  • Drip coffee: set up fully at open, hold on brewing until the first customer orders it — then brew fresh.
  • Ice machine: currently offline. When restored, ice burn will be added to the closing checklist; no ice action needed at open.
  • Issues from close: log on the bulletin board before continuing.
  • Early opens (Thu/Fri 5am) vs. weekend opens (Sat/Sun 9am) may have additional differences — to be documented as hours stabilize.