Name that Coffee Shop!

September 18, 2006 8:30 AM

Help name a drive through coffee shop...

Some info: it will be a double drive through coffee shop; we will carry all the assorted coffee/latte/caps and bagel fare; there are three partners; it will be located in southeast Michigan; my last name is Black. We are starting most everything from scratch - we will be creating logos and the like, so if you have visual ideas to go with the name, please share.

As incentive, the top three choices (as determined by the aforementioned 3) will get a little gift sent to them... it will not contain coffee.

posted by blackkar to food & drink (91 comments total)

Joe 'n Go?
posted by parilous at 8:34 AM on September 18, 2006 [1 favorite]

Blaxwell House
posted by hortense at 8:36 AM on September 18, 2006

Cuppa Go.

Java, The Hut

CoffeeFilter

Can't Stop Need Coffee
posted by unixrat at 8:38 AM on September 18, 2006

Blax.
posted by kindall at 8:39 AM on September 18, 2006

Brew Through
posted by MrMoonPie at 8:39 AM on September 18, 2006

Coffee Kart
posted by yogurtisgenocide at 8:39 AM on September 18, 2006

The Trip Sip

Grand Brew Auto

Bean-vergnugen

Mmm... That's Good AHHH Oh GOD MY LAP I WANTED CHILDREN!
posted by unixrat at 8:40 AM on September 18, 2006 [4 favorites]

Jumpin' Java
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 8:40 AM on September 18, 2006

Joe2Go
posted by unixrat at 8:41 AM on September 18, 2006 [1 favorite]

Alternative Fuel
posted by YoBananaBoy at 8:42 AM on September 18, 2006

The Brew Crew
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 8:43 AM on September 18, 2006

Vrooom!...mmm
posted by zerokey at 8:45 AM on September 18, 2006

Regular or Unleaded?
posted by unixrat at 8:45 AM on September 18, 2006

an alternative to unixrat's:
Sip n' Trip

I think it would be more appropriate for San Fran, though.
posted by zerokey at 8:47 AM on September 18, 2006

Godspeed You Black Emperor
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 8:47 AM on September 18, 2006

Black And Brew
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 8:49 AM on September 18, 2006 [1 favorite]

Why Cars Have Cupholders Coffeehouse
posted by unixrat at 8:50 AM on September 18, 2006

Brewed Awakening
posted by parmanparman at 8:51 AM on September 18, 2006 [1 favorite]

Get Up And Go
posted by EndsOfInvention at 8:51 AM on September 18, 2006

Two Latte Blacktop
posted by Espy Gillespie at 8:51 AM on September 18, 2006 [1 favorite]

Joe-mentum. ;-)
posted by callmejay at 8:52 AM on September 18, 2006

Kind of Brew (with music notes in the logo)
posted by danb at 8:52 AM on September 18, 2006

The Black Hole.
posted by googly at 8:53 AM on September 18, 2006

Drive Brew
posted by teleskiving at 8:56 AM on September 18, 2006

Java The Hut
posted by camworld at 8:56 AM on September 18, 2006

FREE COFFEE

(cups, $2.65 per)
posted by mikepop at 8:57 AM on September 18, 2006 [1 favorite]

Never Enough Caffeine

Jittery Joe's

Drive-Thru Brew

Red Hot Coffee

Black's Black & Brew
posted by camworld at 9:00 AM on September 18, 2006

Driving Us Crazy

A Whole Latte Love
posted by humuhumu at 9:06 AM on September 18, 2006

Quick Coffee
Pit Stop Coffee
posted by mikepop at 9:11 AM on September 18, 2006

Perking Lot
Joe and Mo' To Go
posted by MrMoonPie at 9:15 AM on September 18, 2006

"Black Coffee" with tagline - "You Won't Go Back"
posted by gfrobe at 9:20 AM on September 18, 2006 [1 favorite]

unixrat's on to something there but it's too verbose. How about just "Cupholders"?
posted by mendel at 9:22 AM on September 18, 2006

Dang, and I thought I was original.
posted by JamesMessick at 9:30 AM on September 18, 2006

java jive through
posted by pyramid termite at 9:30 AM on September 18, 2006

F1 Espresso
posted by Smart Dalek at 9:47 AM on September 18, 2006

or even "Inbound Espresso"
posted by Smart Dalek at 9:48 AM on September 18, 2006

Identify the closest interstate to your locale; replace "I-" designation of highway number with "Chai".
posted by Smart Dalek at 9:50 AM on September 18, 2006

Perk-u-later

Hot Coffee Mods

Black is the new Coffee

The Three Ami-joes.

Paul's Coffee (Edmonton/NY only)

b33nZ

im in ur car drinking yur brews.

Brewskies.

Coffee 2.0

Roasted

TryNSave

DeCARfinated

The Best Little Coffeehouse in MI

Yoopers Not Welcome

DripZ

Drip2SipNTrip
posted by unixrat at 9:51 AM on September 18, 2006

Shakey's
posted by unixrat at 9:52 AM on September 18, 2006

In SE Michigan?

Jim Hourton's
Country Stile
Double Double
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 9:55 AM on September 18, 2006

I second Black Coffee.

You could have an offer for anyone who's never had just a plain black coffee from your shop can have it for free (no sugar or cream allowed either). And the "you'll never go back thing." (Oh and you better actually have pretty good black coffee).
posted by gauchodaspampas at 9:57 AM on September 18, 2006 [1 favorite]

A takeoff on unixrat's Drip2SipNTrip:

Drip 'n Sip
posted by langeNU at 10:08 AM on September 18, 2006

Fresh Roast Coffee

Cool Beans Coffee Shop

Sip 'n Go Coffee
posted by ifranzen at 10:10 AM on September 18, 2006

im in ur car drinking yur brews.

rofl
posted by ifranzen at 10:11 AM on September 18, 2006 [1 favorite]

If you do go with "Drip 'n' Sip" or "Sip 'n' Go" (or anything similar), please, please use the apostrophe correctly, or you'll have English majors picketing out front--put an apostrophe where ever a letter is omitted. English major picket lines aren't pretty, what with all the wicked puns 'n' such.
posted by MrMoonPie at 10:29 AM on September 18, 2006 [1 favorite]

Gitgo

The Pit Crew Drive Thru

Java Drive By

Roadkill Coffee 'n' Things

Coffee Brake
posted by thinkpiece at 10:32 AM on September 18, 2006

I am not creative enough to come up with the perfect pun. THere have been many great ones suggested. But, I do not think that is the way to go. If you plan to expand beyond your town and Michigan and the midwest, etc, then I think you should come up with an all new brand and simple name that will be defined by your logo and service. If you pick one that is a pun, it also comes with some preconcieved assumptions. The name should be memorable, but not necessarily have coffee (or its nicknames) in the name. Starbucks, McDonalds, Domino's work just as well as Pizza Hut, Burger King and the like. Sharpie pens dows not tell you it is a pen in the name. It has come to be understood by a good product and good marketing.

It will be more work initially educating the public with a name that does not say what it is in the title, but in the long run, you will have (re)defined your name through good service and product the other way.

I don't want to get my coffee from some store that has a cutesy sounding name. I want to get it from a store that makes good coffee.

As my previously mentioned creative gene was left behind, I think that simply Black's works real well. Black's coffee also would work but I would not use the tagline "you'll never go back." That sounds to me like the coffee sucks and you won't go back to that store.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 10:32 AM on September 18, 2006 [1 favorite]

Carffee
posted by rhizome at 10:32 AM on September 18, 2006

Straight Shot
posted by penchant at 10:38 AM on September 18, 2006

Three Friends Coffee
posted by _sirmissalot_ at 10:54 AM on September 18, 2006

Fuel(ed)
Beantown
Double pump
Java trip
Shotty pulls

(Jittery Joe's (FANTASTIC coffee btw): http://store.jitteryjoes.com/ I'm not knowledgeable of copywrite information as far as their name goes though)
posted by jmd82 at 10:54 AM on September 18, 2006

Go'Spresso
posted by pmbuko at 10:55 AM on September 18, 2006

Call it Two Bucks and have a logo just like fourbucks with two male deers instead of the mermaid.

Or make your logo completely different...
posted by Monkey0nCrack at 11:20 AM on September 18, 2006

Battlestar Gablacktica

And you can serve Mango CYLON tea!
posted by Darth Fedor at 11:34 AM on September 18, 2006

The Emergency Break

(And my apologies for the last one)
posted by Darth Fedor at 11:35 AM on September 18, 2006

Express-O

The "O" could be designed in the shape of tire or whatever to imply motion.
posted by shakobe at 11:57 AM on September 18, 2006

Chavs!
posted by parmanparman at 12:21 PM on September 18, 2006

Sip 'n' Swerve
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 12:33 PM on September 18, 2006

Seconding JohnnyGunn's comments to avoid puns or clichéd phrasing, especially if you're intending this to be an upscale joint.

So forget about anything with bean, roast, brew, cup, sip, joe, java, jolt, express, espresso, café. You want a word or phrase or name that gives your customers a feeling about you. What do you want your customers to think and feel about you, your products, your service? That's crucial information missing from your question.
posted by GhostintheMachine at 12:52 PM on September 18, 2006

Hot Black Coffee
posted by matkline at 1:55 PM on September 18, 2006

Seconding JohnnyGunn's comments to avoid puns or clichéd phrasing, especially if you're intending this to be an upscale joint.
Not to derail, but I have to disagree.
posted by jmd82 at 2:17 PM on September 18, 2006

Black Road Brew
posted by konolia at 3:19 PM on September 18, 2006

carpuccino
Expresso.
posted by seanyboy at 3:21 PM on September 18, 2006

Black Stone Roasted.
I also like this name with a comma in it. Black, Stone Roasted.
(Also: Stone can be a name for the inside of any drupe type fruit of which coffee is, apparently).

Some others:

The Mighty Bean.
Mean Bean Machine.
Lakes of Coffee
Superior Coffee (don't know my geography enough to know if this is a good choice, isn't Erie closer?, but it's a lake that scales when you go global, whereas Erie not so much).
Automatic Coffee.
Don't need no mitten with this Joe.
Black Troll Coffee (apparently if you're from southern Michigan you can be called a troll. What a state!)
Black's Lighthouse Brew.
posted by safetyfork at 3:45 PM on September 18, 2006

Strong, Black and Proud
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 3:54 PM on September 18, 2006

"Black's Espress-OH! (with tagline: once you go Black...)"

Ok, I'm only half serious but if you're going for the whole "sex sells" market, might as well go all the way hehe;)
posted by mynameismandab at 3:55 PM on September 18, 2006

There (was? is?) a place in Vancouver called Expresso Head, a good name which covers the type of coffees served at a quick rate, the head of espresso, and that it may be a little funky too.

or, "Buy This Coffee Or We'll Shoot This Dog."
posted by Zack_Replica at 4:02 PM on September 18, 2006

Back in Black

(...but just plain Black's is my favorite. It's such a great coffee name it doesn't really need the whipped topping or sprinkles.)
posted by melissa may at 4:03 PM on September 18, 2006

Ceiling Cat is Watching You Drink Coffee

(esoteric inside jokes make the best names)
posted by Doohickie at 4:33 PM on September 18, 2006

First, some backstory. There are three distinct parts to a shot of espresso. The heart (the black bottom), the body (the tan/golden brown middle), and the crema (the top part that resembles sweet caramel). Ristretto refers to a short espresso shot (meaning it doesn't undergo full extraction and comes out a bit sweeter than usual).

I've managed and opened a couple of coffee shops, so I have a little bit of experience. Don't pick a name that's too many syllables. Keep it short and sweet. Any name will do (really) because they tend to grow on people anyway. I would be careful with using the word "Black" because it doesn't sound appetizing (to the stomach or to the senses). My suggestions are:

Crema

Cafe Crema

Cafe Ristretto

Cafe Con Amor (meaning: with love)
posted by SeizeTheDay at 5:05 PM on September 18, 2006

BTW, using the espresso shot (with the three layers colored in) as the logo with the name Cafe Crema would be divine, IMHO. It shows that you understand coffee, that you're the best (crema of the crop, har har), and creates an easily identifiable logo (everyone knows what you're selling).
posted by SeizeTheDay at 5:10 PM on September 18, 2006

Drink and Drivethru
Hotwired
Carista's
posted by 23skidoo at 5:30 PM on September 18, 2006

Rush
posted by harmless at 5:39 PM on September 18, 2006

Perk n Go
posted by Raymond Marble at 5:42 PM on September 18, 2006

Mainline
Re: Fuel
Has Beans
Me Joe Black
posted by rob511 at 5:52 PM on September 18, 2006

Espresso to go.
The Espresso Lane.
posted by The Monkey at 5:56 PM on September 18, 2006

Since you are near Detroit, I would recommend:

Motown Joe

If that doesn't fly, you could always try Middle English:

Burde Swart's Geyn Birlen-Trist of Wlech Tysane Payn-Demayn an-ent Mo Wlanc Prouendes.
posted by billtron at 7:47 PM on September 18, 2006

SeizetheDay said:

There are three distinct parts to a shot of espresso. The heart (the black bottom), the body (the tan/golden brown middle), and the crema (the top part that resembles sweet caramel). Ristretto refers to a short espresso shot (meaning it doesn't undergo full extraction and comes out a bit sweeter than usual)....

I would be careful with using the word "Black" because it doesn't sound appetizing (to the stomach or to the senses)....

BTW, using the espresso shot (with the three layers colored in) as the logo with the name Cafe Crema would be divine, IMHO. It shows that you understand coffee, that you're the best (crema of the crop, har har)....

Maybe it's best to avoid discussing classification based on color in your neck of the woods.
posted by billtron at 7:55 PM on September 18, 2006

- Where You Bean?
- Like My Men
- Fresh Pothole
- Coffeepothole
- Mudflaps
- Coffee Blacktop
posted by me3dia at 7:59 PM on September 18, 2006

I say go simple: Black's. Maybe: Crema Black.

Part of me, however, wishes you would go with CoffeeFilter.
posted by kosem at 9:44 PM on September 18, 2006

1. Loca-Mocha -- where the logo maybe is surrounded by wheels of a car with a cup of coffee and steam on top

2. Presto Espresso

3. Instant Coffee

4. The Bean Thru

(I see logos for 2-4 with those speed marks running off at the end, as though the word were running.)
posted by onlyconnect at 10:15 PM on September 18, 2006

or for loca-mocha -- maybe the 2 o's are the car wheels.

Or, Stop 'n Joe.
posted by onlyconnect at 10:26 PM on September 18, 2006 [1 favorite]

I think you should go with what jmd82 said.

Fuel.

Simple and appropriate without being kitschy or cutesy. I'd definately rather go to "Fuel" for my coffee than any of the others listed, IMHO. Mind you, I'm on the other side of the planet and upside down to boot, so YMMV.

Best wishes for the business!
posted by ninazer0 at 3:38 AM on September 19, 2006

There's the history of the automotive industry in Mich as well (as another possible reason why Fuel may be a good selection). Athough, with the geopolitical situation as it is, maybe it's not so great.

On that front: PEAK COFFEE

O.M.G. COFFEE

Good Luck!
posted by safetyfork at 6:28 AM on September 19, 2006

There's a sandwich shop in Horsforth called Fuel.
It's opposite the DVLA
posted by seanyboy at 10:28 AM on September 19, 2006

Like ninazer0, I liked the simple single-word ones the most, specifically:

Fuel

Rush

Black's

Perk

Stim

synonyms for awake, awaken, energize (quicken, kindle, bestir, etc.)

You could always go the Starbuck's route and use a literary allusion.

If you ever plan to expand, Brew Thru is already a drive-through liquor store in North Carolina (I know, idiotic - but you're not supposed to drink it in the car).
posted by timepiece at 11:40 AM on September 19, 2006

CoffeeFilter is cute. And it would honor the MeFites that helped to pick it out.

Or how about "/blæk/"? It's pronounced like "Black" but it looks like phonetics. Try it out in Times New Roman or a larger font.

My vote is for something short and sweet.

Black.
/blæk/.
Buzzed.
posted by mynameismandab at 11:53 AM on September 19, 2006

So, when's the answer?
posted by unixrat at 8:27 AM on September 24, 2006

Getting the three of us on the phone at the same time is difficult - I am hoping for the next two weeks - I will post an update in metatalk. Thanks for all of the suggestions!
posted by blackkar at 9:18 AM on September 28, 2006

Still waiting...
posted by mynameismandab at 11:41 AM on October 21, 2006

It's been 3 months already. When are we gonna know?!
posted by mynameismandab at 7:47 PM on December 11, 2006