This Coffee Shop Runs On The Honor System… And Its Customers Are Truly Honorable
These days, when a person is asked where the nearest coffee shop is, they usually default to the closest Dunkin’ Donuts or Starbucks. In the past, a coffee shop wasn’t necessarily a trendy place to get a sugar high on frappes and mochas, but a cozy place to meet with friends over a Hot Cup of Joe. It’s the setting for some of the most amazing dialogues in novels. It is a spot where an old friend meets another old friend they haven’t seen in decades. It’s where soul mates meet and fall in love.
Now, there are reports of a coffee shop that truly takes the coffee shop intimacy to another level by running solely on the honor system. Guess what? It’s faith in integrity is causing it to thrive.
If you’re in Valley City, North Dakota, there is a place known as The Vault. From the description given on its official website, it is a self-serve coffee shop in which everything is priced by hand, price scanners are absent, and everything must be kept on track by the customer. They pay before leaving the counter area, which includes a credit cart reader and deposit slot for checks and cash. The coffee shop treats The Vault serves includes Keurig individual K-cup selections with several syrups and creamers, soda pop, hot cocoa, apple cider, and various kinds of tea, sparkling and bottled water. They also have Blue Bunny ice cream treats, pre-packaged snacks, and a constantly changing menu of baked goods from the owner’s kitchen. This includes creative cakes, frosted brownies, artisan quiches, filled croissants, and unique bars.
The description of The Vault sounds ludicrous, right? Why would anyone want to put their trust in the customers if there is a chance the customer could get away with it? Fortunately, customers respect the honor system and are honorable themselves. According to an article by Huffington Post, David Brekke, along with his wife Kimberly, made the following statement about the honor system:
“The thing that’s amazing is that people have been extremely honest. When I add up how much has been taken and how much is in the till at the end of the day, people are 15 percent more generous than thieving.”
It took the couple three and a half years to convert a bank building into the cafe, thus why the name of it is The Vault. when it opened in October, they were surprised more places did not run on the honor system, especially in their community. Nevertheless, they hope more businesses open up utilizing the honor system, in which according to another report by AOL, David and Kimberly are opening up a bakery next door that runs on the honor system too. That alone should pull most people’s heartstrings, not because they are opening another business that runs on the honor system, but there are honorable people who would choose integrity over an opportunity for selfish gain.
[Post Image via The Vault’s Official Website]
