When the owners of Reno's Bibo Coffee Co. opened their first location on Mount Rose Street nine years ago, they hoped it would be the first of several local shops. They just never thought any of them would in the far southern reaches of Reno.
Then McKenzie Properties, the developer of the South Creek shopping center at Foothill Road and South Virginia Street, approached them.
"McKenzie came to us. Some of their family members were customers and started prompting them," says Debbie Spieker-Martin, who owns and operates Bibo with her husband, Paul Martin.
So the couple took a look and decided the spot fit the bill.
"It's a growing area underserved by local businesses," says Spieker-Martin, who is now thrilled with the recently opened location.
All that loyal customers like the McKenzie clan, the appeal of a locally-owned business and a bit of serendipity in finding new opportunities is the key to Bibo's success, says Spieker-Martin.
It has to be when you launch a business going up against the likes of a behemoth like Starbucks, which now operates 10 stores in Reno.
"We provide an option for a really quality product, with a nice community feel," says Spieker-Martin. "We make it feel warm and personal. We pride ourselves on the fact that no matter which location you go to you get the same quality drink and experience."
Bibo which is the Latin verb to drink fosters that feeling by bucking Starbucks in another way: no WiFi Internet access.
"We do get some pushback from customers," says Spieker-Martin, some of whom leave in a huff when they find out they can't get online unless they have their own wireless cellular connection.
"We made a conscious decision to have a more communal environment," she says. "A place to be quiet or talk with friends."
And so far it's worked.
"I'm always amazed by how passionate our customers are. We feel very loved," says Spieker-Martin. "People like to buy a local product if you provide something of quality."
Bibo's South Creek location features a modern and sleek design like its Mount Rose space and in contrast to its third shop on Record Street near the University of Nevada, Reno campus. Located in a former railroad maintenance building, that store has more of a funky, bohemian feel, says Spieker-Martin. (The owners closed a fourth shop in the Bank of America building downtown, on South Virginia Street near Liberty Street, when the lease ran out.)
The college shop is also alone in serving beer. All three locations offer a variety of coffee, espresso, cappuccino, teas, hot chocolate, assorted pastries and bagels, and organic cheese.
Bibo buys its coffees from Kolika Coffee, a Reno roaster, and its espresso beans from Josuma Coffee Co. in San Mateo, Calif. Its pastries and bagels come from Truckee Bagel Co. and its baklava and coffee cake is made by LA Bakery in Carson City.
Bibo's now employs about 20 people, says Spieker-Martin. And as for any future locations, she says the couple will know it when they see it, like their new south Reno spot.
"We've always approached growth as looking for the right opportunity, not just any opportunity," she says. "Making sure we're in a good place and keeping our eye out."
