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Home > Blogs > Taste: Dayton food and restaurants > Archives > 2009 > March > 12 > Entry
Kettering Cafe lets you set your own price
The owner of the Java Street Cafe at 2056 E. Dorothy Lane in Kettering has adopted a rather revolutionary pricing system, at least by American standards: he is letting customers choose how much to pay for his menu items.
“I’m just doing what I can to help people out,” said Sam Lippert, who has owned Java Street Cafe since April 2008. “As far as I’m concerned, this is a permanent change, or at least until economic conditions get better.”
Customers like the concept, and they have not abused the privilege of setting their own price, Lippert said.
“I know I am relying on people to be honest and truly pay what my product is worth,” Lippert said. “So far, it’s about even: some people are paying a little more than what I was charging before, and some people are paying a little less.
“I’ve not had anyone want to pay me less than my cost on an item, and as long as that’s the case, this can work.”
Lippert — whose girlfriend is European — said he was inspired by the cafes of Europe, where it’s not uncommon to leave prices off menus and depend on customers to pay what they think the meal was worth.
The Java Street Cafe — located in the Kettering Towne Center near the Elder-Beerman store — is open Monday through Thursday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call (937) 294-5280.
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Comments
By Paul
March 12, 2009 6:00 PM | Link to this
Not a bad idea. He will see me there, and soom!!!By ELW
March 12, 2009 6:24 PM | Link to this
Excellent idea! The store employees know they must produce an excellent product to be paid well. That’s something other places don’t seem to worry about when they know they’ll get the price they set no matter how badly it is prepared or served.I hope to see them after payday!By deirdre
March 12, 2009 7:25 PM | Link to this
Well, we’ll have to check this out tomorrow. Sounds like a man who should be encouraged.By Amanda
March 12, 2009 8:16 PM | Link to this
The food at Java Cafe is great, I have never been disappointed by the prices or the services.By Cynthia
March 13, 2009 4:56 PM | Link to this
I live in Colorado and just heard about the cafe’s fair pricing system! What a wonderful concept! It makes me want to head out to Ohio just to check it out! Hats off to the owner! Nicely done!By Brad Birky
March 14, 2009 10:25 AM | Link to this
My wife and I have run a cafe with no set prices in Denver (SAME Cafe) since 2006, and we welcome Mr. Lippert to the club! It is amazing to see how fair and equitable folks really are when they have the power to choose. Congratulations, and best of luck!!By Lisa
March 17, 2009 1:43 PM | Link to this
What a fantastic idea! Good luck to you Sam.By not me
March 22, 2009 8:20 PM | Link to this
Not for me. I am sure it appeals to some. I doubt if it last. I hope I am wrong for the owners sake.By Janice
April 3, 2009 11:31 AM | Link to this
It works in Europe. I may run over to Java Street today to give it a try.