Route 9 East: The Caffeine Economy
Red Barn has five retail locations, including one each in Hopkinton and Westborough, two in Boston, and one at 205 Turnpike Road in South-borough, along the highly trafficked Route 9.
When Verrochi and her husband, Mark, originally moved here from Seattle they said they were looking to get into a business that was "recession proof."
Thirteen years and two economic "dips" later, Verrochi said, and the business is still afloat.
"There's just something about coffee," said Verrochi. "Thanks goodness it's a legal, addictive drug!"
Because Red Barn roasts its own coffee blends, it pays wholesale prices for its beans, which helps reduce costs, Verrochi said.
But selling quality coffee at a good price may not be enough for too much longer.
Dough For Dough
In order to make the most out of each Red Barn's location, Verrochi also sells homemade pastries, bagels and sweets. She had to expand her product line to increase her profits at each location, she said.
But with prices on basic foodstuffs like butter, milk and sugar rising just about every day, it's getting harder not to pass those cost increases on to her clientele.
"Gas prices won't go down any time soon," Verrochi said. "You never hear about the price of butter or milk going down. I think nationally, it will get worse before it gets better."
A nasty winter has also hurt business, Verrochi said. On this particular day, a soggy, bone-chilling mix of sleet and rain has left her Southborough shop all but vacant.
Most shop owners would necessarily cut back on staffing levels on rainy days, like it was on Feb. 1, but Verrochi, a former registered nurse, can't abandon her employees so readily.
"The toughest thing as a business owner is cutting employee hours. I won't do it," she said with a sigh. "I'm an RN by trade. I'm probably the worst business person there is, but you've got to be loyal to loyalty."
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