Yada on Franklin

What’s something that coffee and cicchetti have in common?

Well, if you were to ask Darla Knight, owner of Yada on Franklin, it would be their ability to encourage relationships and openness. You are likely here because you like coffee, which is a beverage we have shared to build relationships and socialize for years… and I mean, who wouldn’t like the Venetian version of tapas?? I will be one to tell you that it is a must try, if you have not had cicchetti. However, if you make the mistake I did and order one dish, you will be wondering where the rest of your food is once they have brought it out! I didn’t realize, at the time of dining, that it is what I stated earlier (the Venetian version of tapas) but the staff was quick to educate me! One translation of cicchetti is “small” and they are just that; small dishes, which can be great to either try a variety of things and/or to share! We will get into more of why we are discussing cicchetti on a coffee blog shortly, but first… where Yada all started!

About 33 years ago, Darla decided to settle down in Clarksville, Tennessee after the end of her military contract. She worked in private education for 16 years in Nashville but ended up finding her way into the coffee world/food industry, or rather, it found her. Darla’s daughter Morgan is how Yada came to be an idea in the first place — providing an opportunity for her after college. Although Morgan is, as her mother described, a “hard worker and a networker that the customers fell in love with”, food service was not in Morgan’s cards. This coffee shop was not Darla’s dream either but don’t let that fool you about her determination and consideration for her customers. Taking care of her family is what Darla is truly passionate about, and entrepreneurship being something she was familiar with, she found herself here. Initially buying the shop and helping her daughter get on her feet, then taking over this business to make it so much more.

Yada on Franklin started out as “Yada Yada Yada” in a significantly smaller shop, around the corner from their current location. This term, yada yada yada, essentially meaning “blah, blah, blah”, is typically used when you have a relationship with someone. While conversing, they likely know what you would go on about, so you can use this term instead of filling the air with meaningless chit chat. Darla is also admittedly a big Seinfeld fan 😄

Yada began with only serving coffee, moving to breakfast, then lunch, and now also dinner. They have expanded their space, menu, and circle as well. One thing I was curious about was how their customers took to this change and from what Darla noticed, there was a bit of hesitation at first. They lost some, gained many, and also found that the folks who come in during the day are a bit different from the night crowd. Needless to say, this all has been a learning process and growth opportunity for her and her staff, especially during COVID. Yada on Franklin was open for just 3 months before the shutdown from COVID occurred, devastating them and many other small business owners. To this temporary roadblock, Darla said “we can either cry in our beer or use this time constructively for growth”, and that is exactly what they did, grow. From revisiting processes and procedures to maximizing time to find areas of improvement within themselves for the experience for their customers. 

There are many things to consider when opening up a new shop or expanding, but the detail that went into choosing these items was all about the guests. From flatware and napkins, to staff, and the dishes served, Darla and her team contemplated it all to make their customer’s experience one to remember. 

“Everything that we are goes back to relationships”

Yada on Franklin’s team understands that the moments spent with those whose schedules align with ours are precious. To respect that, they want their staff to simply disappear into the background but be there when needed. This allows you to be present and engaged in the moment. Overall, there were many decisions that had to be made along the way and some advice given by Darla in regard to this was to trust yourself. Be open minded enough to try it and be self aware. There are some decisions that you can make and be done with but she said that others you cannot just own it, the customers will tell you, numbers will tell you. Therefore, your instincts may not be the most profitable choice at times, but if it is something you feel you should do and it is what customers appreciate, then don’t doubt yourself. This has proven to be beneficial in their case as many will tell you just how lovely this place is.

MY EXPERIENCE

Now that I have given you some insight about Yada on Franklin, I would like to paint a bit of a picture for you… I had been to the previous location and although quaint and cozy, even at that point, it felt like there was potential bursting through those walls. The quality was there but they simply did not have enough room to grow. I had left Clarksville for about a year and when I returned, it was to my surprise, they had moved locations. Eager but somewhat nervous to see what they had done with their expansion, I visited within the first week I was back. Something that Yada has done, even since their smaller shop, is draw you in from the outside. Warmth and openness is what I felt from the sidewalk and upon walking in, this new place was huge. Now, for someone who typically likes small coffee shops, this was a shock for me. However, I was greeted by a bright smile from behind the coffee bar and a simple hello. I see high ceilings, a sufficient amount of seating, a full coffee bar, plenty of room to navigate throughout, and a glimpse of the kitchen area in the back. I was excited for them, for this! Although I did not know Darla, one of the first conversations I had with her was at their corner shop; she educated me on oat milk and why I should try it in my latte (I’ve not reverted back). This is what most would likely brush off as an ordinary conversation, but for me it was more. I was not just a customer, but I was their customer, I was her customer and she had my best interest in mind. I felt as though I was known or apart of their circle and this did not change with the new location, if anything it was enhanced. Within two visits, I had the same barista, but she remembered my order. Wow! This was significant for me as I have always wanted to be able to come into a coffee shop and have that exchange. Again, you’re likely thinking I am a weirdo for geeking out over this, but I think everyone wants to be seen/remembered, in one way or another, and for me it’s the small things — my coffee order being one. Unfortunately I had a permanent change of station about a month after returning to Clarksville but I was able to visit a fair amount of times before leaving. I briefly talked about my dinner experience earlier but the food was delicious, the staff was informative and patient, and it was a wonderful time all together. The atmosphere during the day is much more quiet and encouraging. By night, well… you’ve heard how larger parties are more intimate, yes? If I had to sum it up in one word, I would say by night, it is timeless. I mean this in the sense that although this place is generally packed, especially on the weekends, you cannot help but be drawn into your own world; both time and everything around seems to fade into nothing more than yada, yada, yada.