When Dominika Blum opened Krave Café in Aberdeen, South Dakota, in August 2024, she wasn’t just launching a coffee shop—she was bringing an entirely new experience to a town with limited specialty café options. Unlike the typical American coffee shop, Krave embraces a European-style coffee culture, focusing exclusively on espresso-based drinks. As Dominika puts it:
"Life is too short for brewed coffee."
But Krave is more than just a coffee shop; it operates as a bistro, offering crepes, baked goods, and high-touch service that elevates the customer experience. In less than a year, Krave has expanded to operating seven days a week and is already exploring a second concept: a charcuterie and wine bar.
As a first-time restaurant owner, Dominika approached every decision with strategic intent —from the layout of the space to the workflow behind the counter. And when it came to selecting a POS system, she took the same meticulous approach.
Why Krave Chose Dripos
For Dominika, the decision came down to one thing: efficiency. She needed a system that would handle everything in one place, from POS and scheduling to payroll and reporting. After extensive research, including consulting Facebook groups for café owners, she landed on Dripos. Here’s why:
All-in-One Functionality:
"I wanted one place for everything. The more I learned about Dripos, the more I realized it was exactly what I needed."
Ease of Use & Training:
"As a business owner, you want easy. There’s so much that’s hard—you just want something that works."
Exceptional Customer Support:
"I can text them something at 3:03, and by 3:07, I have a response. That never happens in any other business I’ve worked with."
Offline Mode for Business Continuity:
"We had a full internet outage in the region, and Dripos let us keep running orders. I don’t know if Square or Toast can do that. That’s a game-changer."
How Dripos Powers Krave's Day-to-Day Operations
For Dominika, Dripos isn’t just a POS system—it’s an operational backbone that keeps Krave running smoothly.
- Real-Time Reporting & Analytics: She checks reports daily to track sales, labor costs, and tax categories without waiting for manual updates.
- Tipping System: Krave uses a pooled tip model, ensuring all employees share in the success of the business.
- Customizability & Flexibility: While setting up complex menu modifiers was a learning curve, she now finds it fast and intuitive to make updates.
- Scalability: With a charcuterie and wine bar in the works, she plans to use Dripos for a sit-down service model with individualized tip allocation per server.
Customer Service That Stands Out
One of Dominika’s biggest priorities was having a support team that actually responds when needed. Dripos' customer success team has been a game-changer:
"I want to hug them all! They’re so good."
"Other POS systems make you wait and wait for support. I don’t have time for that when I have a line of 20 customers."
With instant responses and a customer-first approach, Dripos has helped Krave solve problems before they become operational bottlenecks.
A Café with Intention: The Krave Experience
Everything about Krave is intentional. From the European-inspired decor and seating arrangements to serving drinks in glassware rather than disposable cups, every detail has been designed to enhance the guest experience.
"We offer Ritz-Carlton-level service in the middle of South Dakota. People love that we bring an elevated café experience to a small town."
Dominika has also been deeply involved in every business decision:
- Hand-selecting furniture and decor to create a warm, inviting space.
- Sourcing high-quality, organic ingredients to ensure every product meets her standards.
- Carefully curating a menu that balances authenticity with approachability.
Final Thoughts: A POS Built for Coffee Shop Owners
Krave Café’s story is one of vision, strategic decision-making, and dedication to an exceptional guest experience. Dripos has played a crucial role in supporting that journey, making daily operations seamless and scalable.
If you’re a café owner looking for a POS system that does more than just process transactions—one that offers unmatched support, robust reporting, and seamless integrations —Dripos might be exactly what you need.
Want to see how Dripos can transform your café? Schedule a demo today.