Cups and Cones open

November 10, 2007

Cups and Cones is open. I checked it out real quick today. I like the layout a lot. The layout of the store is an inverted L shape. You walk into the middle of the top of the inverted ‘L’. On the immediate left is a flat screen tv and a tape player for kids to watch movies and play. Further ahead is the counter that serves, coffee, ice cream, and desserts. Further ahead and to the right are nice leather couches to sit on and enjoy your purchases and talk. The place is more open and does not feel like a soulless Starbucks. Check it out.

Phone Number: 512-266-2444
Hours are: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday.
Website: http://www.cups-and-cones.com/

Some words from Kristi, the owner of the store.

I wanted to let you know that Cups & Cones opened on Tuesday. We’re serving Blue Bell ice cream, coffee drinks using beans roasted by Texas Coffee Traders, and a variety of teas. Our cookies are from Ultimate Oatmeal Treats which is owned by Steiner resident, Larenia Schuller, and the artwork currently on display is from Chrissie Forbes, another Steiner resident.

coffee, ice cream, retail

Anonymous

This is a great place. Fun for kids and comfortable for adults. The owner take a real interest in your opinions.
http://www.AustinBYOB.com Whoosh

Nothing wrong with the place, it just doesn’t offer much in the way of ice cream (they also sell Blue Bell next door at the convienant store), and the coffee’s are a 1/4 of what a Starbucks offers in variety. The place doesn’t bother me, just not sure what it really offers which is unique or better. Oh, there is a indoor jungle gym, maybe they should call it McStarCreamWifiLounge?
Anonymous

This is a cool place… Seems like “Whoosh” would rather have another nail salon…
Lindsey

Their coffee is nothing to write home about (I think my coffee obsession has been well-documented on this site, heh!) — but for the kids and a place to hang out and eat some ice cream – it’s great!
I’d go hear for ice cream over Delicato’s for gelato anyday! The 4 of us all got ice cream for about $6, where I know the kids size cup of gelato @ Delicato’s is $2.85 – yewwoch. I know, I know, gelato is healthier, etc, etc.
The atmosphere @ Cups/Cones is so nice for the kids, too, with the playarea.
Everyone that works there has been consistantly nice as well!
Rick

Hi Lindsey,

I am one of the owners of Cups & Cones. Thank you for the comments about the shop – they were honest and informative. I would like to understand more about your coffee experience here. Was the coffee too weak or did it not enough body? We strive to please and need to have this type of feedback to improve.

Feel free to email us or call us.
rnordin@cups-and-cones.com
kleenordin@cups-and-cones.com
512-266-2444

Best wishes in the New Year!

Rick
Melissa

I’ve been to Cup and Cones a couple of times, and I like it. I wish they had a larger ice cream selection, however. Also, they need a changing table in the bathroom. They make is kid-friendly, which is great, but they have no changing table.
Billy

Yes, they need a LARGER selection of ice cream. It’ s a great place but I do love my ice cream..
Rick

Melissa and Billy,

Thanks for the feedback. I will investigate the changing table. An oversite on our part.

As for a larger selection of ice cream – we have been talking about another freezer, but that will take some time to sort out. We have started to change flavors to see what is most popular and have observed that people do love their ice cream! I will try to keep this blog updated with respect to our plans.

Thanks for the input – this is the only way we can improve Cups & Cones!

Rick
rnordin@cups-and-cones.com
kleenordin@cups-and-cones.com
(512) 266-2444
Rick

Melissa,

The changing table was just installed in the womens bathroom today. Thanks for your comments!

Rick
Melissa

Rick,

That is fabulous! Thank you for listening. I think my playgroup may meet there in a couple weeks. Our kids are all about3, but a lot of us have new ones too, so this will be a big help!
Melissa

I just want to say that this place is great. They have really listened to their customers and gone out of their way to make everyone happy. I went in last weekend to grab some coffee and was pleased to see that it was very busy. The owners are always so nice. I really hope it does well.
Deb

I have only been to cups and cones once so far; we stopped by after a basketball game right at closing time. The workers didn’t flinch when we went in to get our ice cream even though the other workers were obviously cleaning and closing up. We appreciated that.
Now that the weather is nicer, I look forward to family walks down to cups and cones in the evenings.
Elicia

After eating Rudy’s breakfast tacos religiously for the past few years, I have decided that the tacos at Cups and Cones are better! For those of you who don’t know, they have 3 kids of tacos in the a.m. and they are fantastic. not as many options for the toppings (just egg, potato, sausage, and bacon), but they are so flavorful – and so convenient!
Sharon

The tacos come from Hook m Up tacos. They are located just off 2222 in the Jack Brown Cleaners parking lot. Your right, they are about the best tacos around and I’m glad cups n cones is carrying them.
Victoria

Rick, Have you thought about expanding your breakfast selection? There are no places close by to get a nice breakfast up by Stener Ranch. Delicato has belgium waffles (which are yum, but cant have them every weekend) empenadas, and tacos but what about a nice breakfast place that has fresh fruit, waffles, crepes, bagles, toast, frenchtoast oatmeal, house specialities like gingerbread pancakes, wheat germ waffles….anything other than migas and tacos!! Flores and Maudie’s doesn’t cut it. The Texmex breakfast is overrated.

Tired to going downtown for a nice breakfast…
thanks,

Victoria
Jennifer

What a great example of owners really taking the time to listen to customers. It’s clear Cups and Cones has gone the extra mile and I second the breakfast tacos! Yum!
http://www.cups-and-cones.com Rick

Victoria,

Thanks for the comments. We are always eager to hear what people in Steiner are saying.

Unfortunately, Cups & Cones is not prepared to do breakfast at this time. There are many health related enhancements that need to be made to the shop to facilitate meals like you suggest.

Thanks!
Lindsey

Victoria,
Rise and Shine Bakery up in Riverplace does a good breakfast selection — lots of what you suggested and some other stuff, which I can’t remember.
whatever

what’s with the age limit there??? very weird i bet they will regret doing that….morons
Melissa

whatever – regret doing what? Having children’s activites? Sounds pretty smart for Steiner, if you ask me. It seems to be busy every time I’m there, so apparently they’re not the morons you say they are.
anon

I think he’s referring to the fact that no children under 14 are allowed in without a parent. This is something new they just started due to some sort of theft or vandalism.
Joanna

Re: other breakfast ideas, Delicato up the street does some good breakfast items – empanadas, Belgian waffles with fresh fruit, etc… just another breakfast option! (They also have great banana bread…)
Rick

Whatever and Anon -

The was an age restriction put in place because of some vandalism. It lasted for all of 12 hours – until we had resolution to the problem. Since the probelm was resolved, the restrictions were removed and all is well with the world.

Rick
C&C Customer

We saw the portraits above the counter and thought what a great way to decorate – with the faces of the children in the community, but noticed there were no other ethnicities represented. Wouldn’t it be great to see other cultures up there especially since Steiner is so diverse?
anon

I did notice that too. It would be great to see other ethnicities represented. What a great idea! I hope the owners consider these suggestions.
Savannah

I agree pictures of kids are cute. I think most people would like to see diversity as well.
http://studio563.com Andy

We will be back at Cups and Cones in July to take more free photographs of kids eating ice cream. Please come on down, buy an ice cream and sign a release form so that we may hang the images. We will be happy to add diversity to the studio563 photo collection at Cups and Cones.
http://www.cups-and-cones.com Rick

Thanks everyone for your comments. Please check the calendar on our web site and the store windows for the next photo dates and make sure you sign a release form so your child’s portrait may be one that is publicly displayed.
Curious

I’m just curious how those kids got picked. Sure they’re cute! I just noticed everyone that was having a picture taken the last time had to sign a release form.
http://www.cups-and-cones.com Rick

When Studio 563 takes the next set of portraits, we plan to make them available online to pick your favorites.

Thanks again for all of the feedback and comments!
http://www.cups-and-cones.com Rick

As a follow up to the previous note, Studio 563 will be at Cups & Cones on July 28 & 29 to take photos – be sure to stop by and get a picture taken with your favorite ice cream flavor!

Check out the Cups-and-Cones website for more information.

Rick
Steiner Res

We are happy Cups and Cones is in business. Last night, and also about three weeks ago, we went in the early evening. On both occasions, the store was being manned by one person, which resulted in a lengthy wait for service (last night almost 15 minutes to place the order). Additionally, both times the store has frankly been dirty.

I don’t want to be a whiner and am happy that the store is in our neighborhood. We will continue to go, but the store needs more people working both to keep proper service and keep the place clean.
http://www.cups-and-cones.com Rick

Steiner Res,

Thanks for your comments.

We have addressed these concerns. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Rick
Anonymous

The carrot cake is amazing!!
Mike

Just had breakfast at Rise & Shine after getting a recommendation to try it out; try the pancakes, amazing! Getting into the shopping center is difficult though.

Lindsey, try their coffee selection, all organic, tons to choose from.
anon

tried to get tacos 4 times at Cups & Cones last week and they weren’t serving them
not sure

Anyone else have an opinion on the new advertising on the Cups and Cones Coffee Sleeves?
steiner girl

I wish they would post their hours on their website. It’s akin to not listing their phone number or location.
http://www.cups-and-cones.com Rick

The new coffee sleeves feature Steiner resident Gene Arant’s company. We’re more than happy to use sleeves promoting other local businesses or business owners. Those currently in use were purchased from CRC Promotion Marketing whose local representative, David Fenwick, may be contacted at davidf@crcimprinting.com.

Regarding our web site, the telephone number and physical address have always been there in the lower right hand corner of the screen. The site has recently been updated to include the hours of operation. They’re also listed at the beginning of this blog.

Thank you very much for all of the input and suggestions!
not sure

It just seems like everything’s for sale. The appeal was that is was a “neighborhood” coffee shop. Now it just belongs to the highest bidder. It doesn’t matter if it’s a Realtor, Handyman, Insurance Broker, Dog Sitter, etc…. I will now be supporting Delicato (who need it). They don’t sell out to one resident in particular. I know times are tough, but how much could you possibly be making on the coffee sleeves. I am not the only one who won’t be coming in…it’s tacky to both the establishment and the advertiser. This is not the Cheesecake Factory, it’s a neighborhood hang-out…or at least it was. Sell-outs!
Ken Saunders

Anybody who takes the time to actually complain and subsequently change restaurant preferences because a store owner allows paper products to be used for advertising needs to seriously get a life. This is the private sector. This is still, even though the government is causing some confusion, a free market environment. Business owners should be doing this type of marketing in order to keep costs down. Would you rather they label everything with the store logo and subequently raise prices? How on earth can you allow ink on paper dictate your preferences? Why do marketing tactics effect you to such a great degree? And I think it is stellar that you choose to support Delicato…they need the business. Every time I’m in there the place is empty. Perhaps he should try some imaginative marketing strategies to reduce his costs. If he doesn’t, it looks like his next cost will be associated with closing shop. I love Cups and Cones, the family that runs it is fantastic. The place has never been dirty while I’ve been there and the staff is polite. Everyone wants instant service. Take a breath. You are just going out for ice cream. How urgent can it be?
Ken Saunders

I’ve placed my name on my comments. Wouldn’t it be nice if others so quick to criticize could find the courage to come out from behind the anonymity of the web and do the same? Perhaps Not Sure could give it up? Would we, by chance, recognize your name from a realtors sign? Perhaps you don’t really live here? Perhaps you are 14 and this is entertaining? Perhaps you lost your job and frustrated? Perhaps you are the President of the We Hate Cups And Cones Secret Society? Perhaps you run Delicato? Conspiracy! We will never know…as you apparently choose to remain anonymous.
The Poster Formerly Known As Steiner Res

Go Ken!

If stadiums can sell naming rights, buses can sell ad space on the side, races can be sponsored, etc., what’s wrong with making money by letting somenoe else pay for the cost of the sleeves?
Pam McCollum

To #40, not sure. What an apt name for you. I’m trying to figure out a few things, here. Have you ever owned a small business? Do you realize they are the backbone of this country’s economy, that small business growth is dependent on referrals to and from other business owners? Do you realize how absolutely petty you sound referring to advertisements on a coffee sleeve?

I think it’s very evident that you and Mike have an agenda here. Cups and Cones has been successful because of their all inclusive nature, their sincerity and integrity in their approach to business and their interest in our community. You cannot destroy goodness. Go away.
THANK YOU!!

LOVE you guys for all you do. The charm of our neighborhood is due to the personal attention any small business can give and I must say Kristi and Rick go above and beyond to make EVERYONE feel invited. We should all be thankful for the small business owners in our neighborhood!!
http://www.cups-and-cones.com Rick

Thank you very much for your kind words! The feelings are mutual.
http://www.concordia.edu John Adams

Hi Kristi,

I stopped by today to visit with you about two things, and your staff said you were out of town. I was referred to you by the HOA and wanted to visit with you: 1) about a community fair/welcome party we are hosting here at Concordia next month, and 2) about possibly being involved in the concert on the lawn event. I’d love to visit with you when you get back!

John Adams
Assistant Director of Student Services
Concordia University Texas
313.4307
john.adams@concordia.edu
Pele

I love Cups and Cones, from the second we walked in and saw the childrens’ play area to the comfy couches. It’s kid friendly and clean, coffee is strong and hot, very community oriented and always a friendly face behind the counter. Great ice cream selection and pastries too. Wouldn’t change a thing.