Pollys’ Gourmet Cafe, Long Beach

I while back, I had a very inter sting conversation with Michael Sheldrake about small businesses, how to stay in business and what lets a small business stand out against nation-wide chains.

There few places left on second street where you can relax and enjoy a great cup of coffee and be in the real Belmont Shore feeling.  Polly’s is the real deal.  No fancy coffee cup-size-naming convention here, just a bunch of friendly experienced staff who know you by name and by taste.  Polly’s redefines what makes our country what it is and the strength of it lies in small Mom and Pop shops.

It all started with pies!  Polly’s Pies integrated coffee in its restaurants.  In 1978, Michael Sheldrake started a beans and giftware shop called Pollys Gourmet Coffee.  Can you image this?  About twenty years before the big country-wide fashion fad hit the street!  In 1979 they get an expresso machine and a whole new revolution starts, people come in for an expresso.  Adding to this pastries and outside patio in 1984, Michael was on his way of becoming an international recognized coffee expert and has been an original member of the Coffee Association of America.

So why go to Polly’s instead of Star…  What are those other places?  Starmegabucks, Pete’s Brew and whatnot?  Well, granular quality of brewing, local customer service for local and international tastes, a friendly staff that knows you by name and coffee mix, you cannot beat it.  The quality care Michael puts into training his staff is what differentiates a country-wide chain store from a local one.  And it does not mean it only enjoys local success.  Michael ships locally, state-wide and international.

What sets Polly’s and small local businesses apart are the same expectations locals have when entering the store and how it is being met.  I love it because I gage the temperature if the Shore, the locals and local businesses.  It is a great place to hold business meetings or meet friends for a coffee or even listen to Jazz on a Friday evening.

Click here to go to Polly’s website.