PARTNER SPOTLIGHT: THE BLACK GOOSE
Equal parts curated antique shop and coffee bar,
The Black Goose is the shared vision of the wonderful Bradbury family. Combining their passions, the Bradburys have created a space that feels like home. Josh Bradbury, son of Bill and Jeanine, has quietly put together one of the best spots for coffee in Northern Kentucky and his commitment to quality and focused eye toward the details create a shop that consistently exceeds expectations. Check out my conversation with Josh below and check them out next time you’re in Union!
Check out my conversation with Josh below and check them out next time you’re in Union!
Josh Bradbury and parents – Janine, and
Can you share the story behind The Black Goose? What inspired you to open the shop, and how did the idea first come together?
After attempting to retire and finding it impossible to slow down, Janine began buying and selling antiques out of 3 antique malls. Several months later, a 1950s gas station, turned auto body shop, came up for sale and the Bradburys purchased it. We originally bought the gas station to store and refinish furniture and antiques. The building was so spacious that we decided that a showroom would be nice. After months of cleaning out and remodeling the old building, the Black Goose was opened March 8, 2021, as a vintage/antique shop. Listening to our customer's requests we branched out and began buying and selling Kentucky themed and local items. We were off the beaten path and struggling to get new and return customers. While discussing this dilemma with Josh, he said that if we put in a coffee bar, we wouldn't be able to keep customers away. Janine agreed to the plan, but insisted that Josh be the owner and operator of the coffee bar. That changed everything. We began turning shoppers into coffee lovers and coffee lovers into shoppers. It turned out to be a great match.
The Black Goose offers more than just great coffee. How would you describe the overall concept in your own words, and what experiences or offerings make it special for guests and shoppers?
Our overall concept began as a focus on "reduce, reuse, and recycle." We wanted to promote more sustainable living and show people how to incorporate old things into their modern decor. The coffee was a great addition, because people could sip and shop. The antiques and music from eras gone by provide a cozy atmosphere. The friendly staff help people feel at home and like they are part of our family. Our goal was to create a space where people could step out of the hustle and bustle of life and find a relaxing, welcoming getaway.
When it comes to coffee and beyond, what does “quality” mean to you?
“For coffee, it means consistency, well-made drinks using high quality ingredients starting with Deeper Roots Coffee, with a beautiful piece of latte art to top it off. With regards to the vintage and antique items, we focus on buying pieces that are made to last. For example, we have an 84-piece set of Haviland china that is over 100 years old and a solid walnut knock down wardrobe from the late 1800s. They sure don't make things like they used to.”
You recently launched a mobile coffee trailer – such an exciting addition! What inspired that move, how has it been going so far, and what kinds of events are you most excited to pop up at?
“We were inspired to find an additional source of revenue since our seating is limited due to being on a septic tank. The coffee trailer also helps us advertise the Black Goose in surrounding areas. Again, we are off the beaten path, so having our logo out in the community and information about the shop is helpful. We are off to a slow start by design because the shop is our number one focus, and we want to ensure we remain successful on all fronts. We absolutely love doing weddings and visiting college campuses. The opportunity to serve couples and their friends at one of the most important events of their lives is an honor for us. Helping to caffeinate students before an exam or in celebration of the first or last day of school creates a fun and exciting atmosphere for everyone.”
“How do you hope guests feel when they walk into (or up to) The Black Goose? What kind of atmosphere or lasting impression do you want to create?”
“We want people to walk into the door and feel at home. When they smell the coffee brewing, a pastry cooking and the mello (vintage) music, we want them to feel as comfortable as walking into Grandma's house. When people need a gift for a friend or loved one, we want them to know they can get something unique from the Black Goose. When people walk up to the coffee trailer and see the Black Goose logo, they know they are about to get a great drink that will put a huge smile on their face.”
“You’ve clearly invested a lot into your coffee and espresso equipment over the years. Can you talk about your current setup and what motivated you to upgrade certain pieces early on?”
“We started out with pretty basic equipment: a Simonelli espresso machine, Mazzer grinder for Alchemy, and an Anfim grinder for decaf. We went for less expensive options to start with because they were more affordable, and we weren't established yet. After two years, and some incredible growth on the coffee side of the business, we realized that it was too easy to be inconsistent with the equipment we had, so we made the decision to upgrade our espresso machine to a La Marzocco, and our grinder to a Mahlkonig GBW. This allowed us to create incredibly consistent espresso drinks. We then realized that manually tamping every espresso puck still left room for inconsistency, as well as repetitive motion injuries for our baristas, so we added a PuqPress to our equipment, as well as a third grinder for DRC's Daydream blend (which has been a hit!).”
We believe every neighborhood should have access to great coffee, which is why we’re so happy to support The Black Goose in Union, Kentucky! They’re providing excellent coffee service, along with a great selection of home goods and antiques. The destination is absolutely worth the trip and on the chance you find yourself in the area, please pay them a visit!