Sunny Cover owns and operates Peekskill Coffee House, a long-standing Hudson Valley New York coffee shop known for its focus on quality, community, and thoughtful, people-first operations. We spoke to Sunny to get the inside scoop on running a shop throughout the holiday season. Read on to learn what she thinks is the key to success.
What does the holiday season traditionally look like for Peekskill Coffee’s coffee shop?
The holiday season at Peekskill Coffee begins on Thanksgiving and carries through the New Year. It starts with a simple, beloved tradition—decorating our large storefront windows with garland, lights, and snowflakes. While we’re not necessarily at our busiest during this season, it’s still a time filled with community connection and moments of celebration.
We close early the day before each major holiday and close entirely on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day so our team can rest and be with loved ones. In early January, we gather for a family-style dinner at a local restaurant, exchange Secret Santa gifts, and unwind together after the unpredictable rhythm of the season.
Do you adjust roles, scheduling, or training for the holiday rush?
Because the holiday season can be oddly inconsistent, sometimes very busy and sometimes surprisingly slow, we plan by aiming for balance rather than intensity. After 23 years in business, we’ve learned that the customer flow depends on countless factors: school schedules, NYC events (we’re about an hour north), weather, the economy, and travel patterns.
Our approach is to “be ready to be ready.” We schedule proactively for typical rush times such as weekends, mornings, lunch periods, and the college-home-from-break waves. We monitor outside events, review last year’s numbers, and stay aware of trends.
Training becomes especially important this time of year. Team members are not only trained to make great beverages and food, they’re also coached to deliver warm, personal service even when the line is long. Team Leads are trained to recognize bottlenecks in real time and adjust by doubling up on bar, opening more registers, clearing the customer floor, and supporting team members who need help.
What’s one small practice that has made a big difference for your baristas?
Intentional, ongoing communication. Keeping everyone aligned through check-ins, clear scheduling, and updates on specials or campaigns reduces stress and increases confidence. When baristas know what’s coming, they show up more grounded and prepared.
How do you keep your team motivated and connected as the business grows?
We focus on transparency, appreciation, and involvement. Staff have creative input on seasonal drinks and food specials. Team Leads are empowered to make operational decisions. And we nurture a workplace culture where care, balance, and community matter. As we grow, staying connected to those values is what motivates the team most.
What is one thing you’re doing this year that you wish you had done sooner?
Hiring intentionally. It has truly been a game changer. Improving team quality, morale, and efficiency. It renewed my own spark and reminded me that the right people make all the difference.
Morale of the story, your staff is everything. You want them to feel the love and appreciation especially during the holiday season. Happy Holidays to all!