Team Updates

Review Wrap Up

Thanks for some really good conversations about the past and upcoming years at NoRa.  I appreciated the open and constructive dialogue.

As mentioned, there are several things that I will be following up with individually as well as at a company-wide level.  The company-wide initiatives such as regarding the standardization, consistency and quality initiative I mentioned as well as the operating changes such as around food and hours will be posted here as details are worked out.  Any individual updates regarding roles, responsibilities, etc. will be sent to people directly.  

Holiday Hours

We will be deciding shortly on whether or not we are open on Christmas and what our hours will be for Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve and New Year's. We will post here and online once we have confirmed the schedule

Customer Newsletter

We will be creating an update to share with our customers about the following changes we will be rolling out in 2026.  I will post the details here before sharing with customers so you are aware.  I will also post talking points with each one so you know what to say if people ask.  

The following topics will be shared along with others that I will add later.

Loyalty Program change

Points will no longer be for free drinks or food but rather can be used to reduce the overall bill.  While it may change, the current thinking is that for every 10 points spent, you can get $1 off the bill.  

NoRa Membership changing to Community Cup Monthly program

We will be doing away with the somewhat secret NoRa Pilot Membership and changing it to a monthly program allowing people to get unlimited drip coffee.  We are thinking of making it special by maybe giving away personalized cups with the program.

Penny Policy

We will be letting people know about the policy to round cash transactions down to the nearest nickel and do away with any pennies when giving change.  We will make sure that people understand we will be rounding amounts in the customer's favor.

Price Changes

As we continue to get hit with rising costs, we will let people know we will be raising the prices on some of our items.  We will be as transparent as possible in the pricing update and will try to keep as many items flat or with a five cent or less increase.  

Kitchen hour/food changes

Once we confirm changes to NoRa's food-to-order menu and hours, we will share with the community.  Ideally we will roll this out in small phases either by extending hours or by adding a few additional items to the menu.

NoRa Gift Baskets for sale

We will be offering for a limited time NoRa Gift Baskets.  These will be pre-ordered online to be picked up a couple days before Christmas.  They will have a few options where customers can pick their own choices of several components.  

Gift baskets will include a NoRa/Dog-Eared Book gift card, coffee beans from Carrboro, NoRa merchandise (mugs, wine glasses, etc.), a bottle of wine (optional), and a variety of options from Color-Up Nail Bar.  

In addition to any pre-orders, we will have a couple gift baskets on display for sale for last-minute gifts.

Books for Charity

Details about the event below

• All books in The Library as well as on the blue bookshelves in the main cafe area are for sale.
• Customers can take as many as they want and pay as much as they want per book. (suggested minimum price is $1 per book)
• Customers can self-checkout at the kiosk in The Library near the front by where the printer is or can check out at the counter.
• 90% of all money collected will be donated to charities identified by the NoRa Staff (please share any charities you feel strongly about so we can let our customers know some of the places we'll be donating to)
• We will likely continue this sale through Christmas.
• We will be adding a few books to the shelves during the event but not a lot.

 

NOTE: As of 12/17/25 at 5 pm - we have raised $82.  Please mention that this event will continue probably to at least Christmas if people are interested.