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How to operate an unattended coffee shop in a foreign country?

Published: 2026-04-07 Author: World Gafei

Last Updated: 2026/04/07, The The Vault Cafe in North Carolina serves coffee, tea and a variety of desserts like other shops. But the difference is that there is not a waiter in this store! The owner of the store adhered to the belief that all customers were honest, so he didn't hire any staff. The store's website says: The Vault is a cafe, all prices are used.

Located in North Kakota

The Vault' Cafe serves coffee like other shops

Tea and desserts.

But the difference is that there is not a waiter in this store!

The owner of this store adheres to

The belief that customers are honest

So I didn't hire any employees.

The official website of the store reads:

"The Vault' is a cafe.

All prices are recorded by hand and there is no price scanner in the store.

So customers just need to remember the price you spend and pay the bill when they check out.

There is a credit card machine and a small box for cheques or change on the counter. "

So you will see the following scene in this store

The guests walked into the shop and made the coffee they wanted.

Pay for it yourself, and then you can sit down and stay as long as you want.

For the shopkeeper,

It's obviously a big gamble.

But the shopkeeper David Brekke and his wife Kimberly are not worried about losing money.

Since they opened the store last October,

People can buy coffee by themselves and stick to their integrity.

Although they have tried to change the business model in the store.

But this is not because the customer is dishonest.

"We were surprised to find that the guests were very honest.

When I checked out at the end of the day, I found that the guests not only didn't default on their debts.

And 15% more money. " Brekke said.

There are no employees

The Vault Cafe attracts a lot of customers to spend money and gradually becomes a regular customer.

The shopkeeper also put some books in the store.

Two pianos and some works of art for sale.

"this is a good place to relax.

Because the environment here is elegant and quiet.

So more and more people come to patronize. "

One of the regular customers of TheVault said.

In addition,

The Vault also has a service called Vault Theater.

You only need to spend 3 dollars

You can watch a movie on the projection wall in the store at 07:30 every Saturday night.

The guests also reported the attraction of The Vault and their delicious food.

Their coffee is made by professionals

It comes with a variety of syrup and cream.

Not only that, you can also enjoy hot cocoa, soda and cider in the store.

In addition, there are many special pastries in the store.

Such as creative cake, frost cover brownie

Croissants and French sticks.

"it's very convenient to come to this shop for coffee.

I hope they won't lose money because of it.

But I also believe that people in the city are honest. "

Said another regular customer of The Vault.

It is reported that the population of Wali City, where The Vault is located,

There are just over 6000 people

It is such a small town that everyone is familiar with each other.

This is probably why no one dares to default in front of acquaintances.

And this small shop, which relies on the integrity of customers, also provides guests with a certain sense of self-identity.

They can get satisfaction from their honest behavior.

"it's a good way to improve people's sense of self-identity."

It took three and a half years to transform the bank into a coffee shop owner, said Brekke.

It is reported that he didn't feel anything unique about his idea at first.

It was not until he looked it up online that he found that such a business model was unique.

Someone asked on the Internet:

"can this model of urban management be applied elsewhere?"

The answer is:

"No, it is the honest people of Wali that make this business model feasible."

But in fact,

The Vault is not the only one in the world.

A small shop run in good faith.

There is a restaurant in Fujian, China.

They let customers pay for meals according to their own ideas.

But sadly, it seems to cost them a lot of money.

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