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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Javaroma is embracing modern technology in its most recent take on customer appreciation.

Rami Kassem displays the smartphone application that tracks customer's visits and rewards loyalty to the store. - Lyndsay Herman/NNSL photo

The two additions focus on making operations more efficient and creating easy to use loyalty rewards.

"We always try to stay one step ahead of things," said Fadil Memedi, half of the two-man Javaroma team.

"Every year we try something new," added co-owner Rami Kassem.

This year, Javaroma has introduced a feature to its website, titled the Online Cafe, and a smartphone application called LoyalBlocks. LoyalBlocks, to which Javaroma owners have subscribed is a promotional U.S.-based app that rewards patrons with discounts and prizes based on patronage.

"We've been working on it for a long time," said Kassem of the Online Cafe, an addition to the Javaroma website where customers can pre-order food meals and set a time for pick up.

Pre-orders save time for the customers, who won't have to wait around for their bagels to toast, but it also helps the cafe, which is surrounded by downtown office workers, prepare for the lunch hour rush and busy coffee breaks, the business owners explained.

"We can accommodate them a lot better since a lot of customers only have a certain amount of time for lunch or coffee breaks," Memedi said.

Drink orders can't be placed online yet because of how quickly some decrease in quality if they sit around even for a few minutes, said Memedi. He added they plan to wait and see how customers like the service before a beverage option is considered.

Both owners said they are excited about the new innovations to the business.

"These things make the difference," said Memedi. "Our customers show us appreciation by coming here, this is how we can show appreciation to them."

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