WEST READING, Pa. – In today’s digital age, a simple post can turn a dish into the next must-try sensation, overnight.
“We had some local influencers come in. They posted a video about our banana foster latte. And I mean, the next day, we sold out of that latte,” said Kelly Smith, owner of Deep Roots Cafe.
As times change, so do business models.
“I started advertising with print and, you know, magazine —maybe a little bit of radio here and there — and social media, it was really new to all of us,” said Brendan Jones, chef and general manager, Cafe Sweet Street.
At Cafe Sweet Street in Reading, the chef says a little help can go a long way.
“One of my customers actually approached me about taking over our social media,” Jones said. “She was a big fan of the restaurant and actually a good friend.”
Over the years, the reach expanded, bringing in new customers.
“Today’s generation really gets their news, gets their information from a handheld device,” Jones said. “If we post a particular coffee special, or we announce a certain dish, people are going to come in and ask for that.”
Other spots, like the recently-opened Deep Roots Cafe in West Reading, are seeing the same impact.
“We have had an amazing reception here in West Reading — so much more than we ever could have expected,” Smith said.
Much of that promotion comes from the community.
“The West Reading Community Revitalization Foundation,” Smith said. “They are amazing.”
“They run the Visit West Reading page on Instagram and Facebook,” she said, “and they just do an amazing job of creating experiences here in West Reading for people to come and spend their time and money here in this community.”