Cup of Joe and Advice Basis for Pair’s Venture
WEEKLY BRIEFING
Sharon Benson and Linda Sherlin have dreamed of owning a different type of coffee shop since the early 1970s when they hung out at the Blah Blah Caf & #233; in Studio City and heard Joni Mitchell play piano and Al Jarreau sing. But Benson was sidetracked by several careers, including production and acting assignments in 50 movies and television shows. Her on-screen debut was the part of Trudy Borne, one of the girls who met her demise in “Carrie.” When Benson and Sherlin learned that one of their favorite places, the Coffee Junction in Tarzana, was in financial trouble 12 years ago, they bought the owner out. They have made it more than your average coffee shop.
“We love coffee and music and there wasn’t enough coffee in this world to satisfy us so we bought the joint. It was roughly $120,000, including inventory. Linda and I refinanced our home and got some help from Linda’s very wealthy uncle.
“Part of the deal was (former owner) Carol Ruhl would stay with us for 30 days and help get us oriented and teach us the business. But we started enjoying each other’s company. She stayed. She does our bookkeeping. We have six other employees.
“What’s unique is we have lawyers who come in regularly and offer family counseling, real estate and landlord/tenant services for a $15 consultation fee. Customers will get their money’s worth. I’ve seen lawyers sit with someone for an hour to an hour-and-a-half for the $15. We also have a computer that hooks into that lawyers’ network, called Legal Grind. They can ask questions via e-mail or get the phone number and set up a personal meeting. We also have all different types of legal books that people can look at while they are drinking coffee or purchase them and take them home.
“And we have all kinds of coffee beans from different parts of the world that Starbucks doesn’t have. We have more than 50 blends, including organic and water-processed decaf coffees in a wide variety of flavors and roasts. We also have 30 to 40 types of bulk and bag teas.
“We sell hand-made greeting cards, hand-made cups, plates, lamps and fountains. Depending on the day, we could have 50 to 200 customers a day. Sales are $3,000 to $5,000 a week.”
David Greenberg
