This is worse than naming a baby! Everyone has an opinion — negative — but so far no one has any (interesting) suggestions. You are no doubt wondering what the dickens I am blathering on about. Well, I’m trying to come up with a good name for my little coffee shop/pie shop which I hope to open in a few months. It will be sort of an extension of the art gallery, but will have its own identity. Given that the gallery (“Views“) will be bit on the arty-farty side, I want the coffee/pie shop to be more casual. I think choosing the right name will be critical to establishing its image, or ‘brand.’
My little clan — or pack, as we’ve become since Mini joined us about a year ago — is thoroughly divided on the issue. That is, all of them vs me. (I didn’t say it was evenly divided…)
To a person, they all hate my favourite name:
MUGSHOTS
We have pie
I think we could have a lot of fun with that name. The others prefer names like “The Pie Shop” or “The Wilmot Pie Shop.” One of us (I won’t say who, but of course Mini is Adam’s dog) — anyway, one of us wants to call it “The Black Dog Cafe.”
Adam and Mini
Ironically (in my opinion), the big objection to MUGSHOTS is that it would call to mind CRIMINALS, and that would not be good branding. Well, for my part, I think folks would be more likely to find that reference amusing, and see it as referring to a MUG of coffee (and get the play on words, of course). On the other hand, BLACK DOG is a well-known reference and strong image for depression. I rest my case. Except to say, I am willing to concede that my taste, or sense of humour, might be totally inappropriate for this task. (Hell, I even thought BREWHAHA was kinda cute.) I will give in graciously if I’m shouted down online as well as at home. And I will be especially grateful for some better ideas.
So I’m asking for your opinions and /or ideas. Do let me know what you think.
Hmmm. I wonder if I should suggest “Caffeine-a-Go-Go” to Adam…? MM
The Meandering Matriarch 
How about Mugsy?
I like it! Will run it past the team. We’ve had some good suggestions, but no decision is made — still mulling them over. I reckon Mugsy, or Mugsy’s, will be a hit!
The Wilmot Mugshot Pie Shop … say it out loud, it kinda rolls off the tongue quite nicely. 😀 … with pic/artwork of a mug of coffee and a pie.
Or … the Mugshot Wilmot Pie Shop. 🙂
You are a real diplomat. It could work. Or, perhaps “Mugshots –the Wilmot COffee Shop” we have pie
Oh dear…will it ever end?…🙄
What about ‘Café Eclectic’ or ‘Full o’ Beans’ or ‘Blended’?
Hmm…some Google ideas there. I particularly like “Blended”. Will roll that around in my head a while…
Pie are round, not square. So are the cups.
I think you should incorporate your Horse Poo poster in the name, but it hasn’t come to me.
Ooh!
How ’bout:
1) A Good Time for Pie!
2) Happy Pie Day (a play on the word “Pi”)
3) Cue. Tea. Pie.
Some good ideas there! I do plan to do something with the Pi reference. Not certain yet just what…will depend a bit on the final name choice. I like Cute tea Pi 🙂. I’ll keep you posted!
Hello MM
Well, my two cents worth ….
Is your coffee going to be excellent! !!! Not just there to support the pies?
If not, don’t make coffee a main point of your name – I’m not exactly a coffee snob, but I’ll hesitate to buy a coffee if I’m not convinced it will be at lasts okay.
If your coffee is a feature also, then a play on mugshot is possible.
I didn’t get it straight away – but I just woke up! 😆
Perhaps if you didn’t use all caps and broke it up in some way – like MugSHOTS.
Maybe not. I don’t know if everyone would get it immediately.
If they were your friends visiting they’d probably get your sense of humour instantly!
If your attached gallery is called ‘Views’ and the cafe is attached – what about ‘… and Pies’.
Views … and Pies
Then the emphasis is on the pies and the coffee or test of menu is then discovered.
Don’t use Black Dog – I agree – well linked now with depression.
Good luck. Trish
I like the wilmot pie shop…
That may well turn out to be the one.
Yes, the coffee is to be excellent…I have invested in very good equipment, and will have a trained barista, so I do want to tout the coffee a bit. Using your suggestion re using part caps, I think MUGshots would convey the coffee aspect. Lots to think about… Not getting much writing done😟
Sorry…just my brain…
– The Drip Drop Shoppe
– C’est Plais (Yes, please!)
– One Lump or Two?
– The Sugar Cube
– The Sweet Spot
– The Sweet Suite