Tuvalu Coffeehouse & Gallery

Store Name Tuvalu Coffeehouse & Gallery

Business Type Misc.

NAICS Code

Location  300 S. Main St., Verona, WI 53593

Nearby Businesses  Miller & Sons Grocery Store, Memorial Baptist Church, Avanti Italian Restaurant, and The Sow’s Ear

Owner/Manager  Shelly Kubly

Special Store Activities  Paint n’ Sip is an art class with a beverage of your choice.  During “Wine & Spirits,” a medium speaks with deceased loved ones of customers and on Psychic Night, customers can have their futures foretold.

Year Opened 2007

Website www.tuvalucoffeehouse.com

Phone (608) 845-6800

E-mail tuvalucoffeehouse@gmail.com

Community Profile

Verona, WI is located approximately ten miles southwest of Madison, WI.  As of 2010, the population within the city of Verona was 10,619, however 67,593 people live within a five mile radius of downtown.  Two large state trails, Military Ridge and Ice Age, run through the city connecting residents to Madison and the region as a whole.  Epic, an international medical software company, is located on the city’s far west side, attracting a highly educated and skilled workforce to the region.

Products Sold & Niche Developed

Tuvalu Coffeehouse & Gallery is a fair trade coffee shop and organic café with an eclectic gallery of art from local artists and international fair-trade merchandise.  On Friday and Saturday evenings, live music by local musicians may be enjoyed.  Other events include Paint n’ Sip, Wine & Spirits, Artist night, Psychic Night, and book signings by local authors.

Market Segments Served

Conveniently located at the intersection of Military Ridge State Trail and South Main Street in Verona, residents and passersbyes can pop in for an organic smoothie or sandwich made with locally grown produce, cup of coffee, a locally brewed beer, or glass of wine.  A recent renovation expanded their space to include a rentable meeting room for parties and social events.

Contributions to the Business Community

Kubly has also been busy building relationships with customers and business community in the region and state.  Tuvalu’s web designer has designed a new website which includes a calendar of events, links to local vendors, artists, and samples of music by featured musicians.  Kubly also serves on a committee for the Verona Area Needs Network, provides coffee for the Verona Area School District PTO meetings, supports Dane Local Buy Local program and the Upper WI Sugar River Watershed, and donates food and coffee for Hometown Days Wildcat Run and the Lions Club.

Kubly has capitalized on her relationships in the community, her location to the trail system and the downtown.  Some of the Tuvalu employee perks include discounted chiropractic care, massages, acupuncture, 15% discount at Apple Wellness, 100% free membership to Anytime Fitness, and discounts for in-house events.  She’s thought “outside the box” of typical event attractions and built a sustainable employee retention program. By employing these strategies, Tuvalu has grown into a profitable business and community asset.

Review by Dayna Sarver, UW-Extension CCED