In the small town of Weissport, Pennsylvania, Hug in a Mug has become more than just a café. It’s a community space, a family business, and, for co-owner Barbara Raub— an extension of home. She and her husband opened the shop a year and a half ago, setting up inside a building shared with a restaurant and an e-bike rental company. From day one, Hug in a Mug has reflected the rhythm of local life, with their 10-year-old working the register and their 21-year-old behind the grill. The warmth and personality of the café stem directly from the people behind it.
“People love that they walk in and see our kids working here. It’s not just a business—it’s our life.”
A Space Designed Around People
Barbara’s approach to business centers on connection. Hug in a Mug isn’t a place for quick coffee runs—it’s where neighbors meet for first dates, freelancers settle in for the afternoon, and families gather for board games. She’s never chased a single target demographic, instead welcoming everyone from college students to retirees.
Finding Stability Amid Fluctuations
One of Barbara’s biggest challenges has been supply chain volatility. Costs shift without warning, and staying profitable requires constant adjustment. A recent menu overhaul helped recalibrate pricing, but it was Dripos’ reporting tools that gave her the confidence to act quickly. Daily breakdowns of sales, ingredient costs, and performance metrics enabled smarter decisions without the guesswork.
All-in-One Without the Complexity
After testing other point-of-sale systems—including Square and SpotOn—Barbara was drawn to Dripos for its unified, transparent pricing and breadth of features. Payroll, tax reporting, loyalty programs, and mobile ordering all live under one roof.
“With Dripos, I don’t get nickel-and-dimed. It’s all built in—and it just works.”
Even something as simple as $5/month payroll for a single employee proved to be a welcome contrast to her previous systems, which charged extra for every small function.
Customer Support That Doesn’t Feel Scripted
Dripos’ support team has also stood out. Barbara recalls reaching out during the holidays over a payroll issue—one she admitted was her own oversight—and still receiving immediate help. What stuck with her wasn’t just the problem-solving, but the empathy. That responsiveness and care have been consistent across her interactions.
Reporting That Informs Real Decisions
Barbara isn’t just a café owner—she’s also an accountant. And that lens has made data one of her most valuable tools. She checks the Dripos reporting dashboard daily, using it to track sales patterns, optimize staffing, and determine which seasonal drinks are actually worth keeping.
“Other places I’ve worked struggled because they weren’t watching the numbers closely enough,” she says. “I knew from day one that I’d need a system that made that easy.”
Dripos doesn’t just break down sales and item-level performance—it also separates food and beverage tax automatically, and even sets those funds aside in a reserve account. For Barbara, that feature alone has been a game-changer.
“I’ve seen too many businesses fall behind because that money wasn’t managed well. Dripos makes it automatic.”
What’s Next for Hug in a Mug?
Expansion isn’t the focus. Barbara and her family are focused on deepening their roots, welcoming new regulars, and evolving their menu. But she keeps an eye on the accounting module—waiting for new updates to drop.
“Our café’s about more than caffeine—it’s about connection. Dripos lets us focus on that while the rest runs in the background.”
👉 Curious how Dripos could support your café? Book a demo here.