Opening Checklist
Your complete morning routine for getting Muse & Co ready to welcome guests. Arrive 30 minutes before open (10:30 AM) to give yourself enough time.
Priority First, Everything Else After
A handful of tasks are the actual minimum needed to be able to make drinks and open the doors — do those the moment you arrive, before anything else. Cleaning, stocking, outdoor furniture, and art space setup all matter, but none of them block you from serving the first customer. See Priority: Get Ready to Serve below.
Hours Reference
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | Closed (private events only) |
| Tuesday - Friday | 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM |
| Saturday - Sunday | 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
Opening Procedure
1. Priority: Get Ready to Serve
Arrive, let yourself in, and do these immediately, in order — this is the actual minimum needed to be able to make drinks and open the doors. Everything in the rest of this checklist happens after, not before.
- [ ] Turn on the hot water dispenser
- [ ] Turn on the ice machine
- [ ] Start the boba rice maker on its steam setting to bring the water to a rolling boil — this kicks off the tapioca cooking process (see Boba and Tea Prep below for the full timing)
- [ ] Turn on the register, log into the POS system at staff.ncmuse.co/pos, and clock in
- [ ] Turn on both OPEN signs
- [ ] Flip the door sign from Closed to Open
TIP
Once these six are done, you're able to serve. Cleaning, stocking, outdoor furniture, and art space setup all happen next — most of them while the boba is still cooking.
2. Arrival and Startup
- [ ] Turn on all interior lights
- [ ] Turn on the espresso machine — it's fully automatic, so there's no extended warmup to wait on
3. Boba Prep and Ingredient Check
- [ ] Confirm the boba rice maker is on steam mode and the water is coming to a rolling boil, then let it cook (45-60 min total process — follow the posted boba recipe)
- [ ] Check fruit tea syrup levels and refill as needed
- [ ] Check non-dairy creamer stock (we use non-dairy creamer, not milk or dairy cream)
- [ ] Verify all drink ingredients are stocked and accessible
No Tea Station Setup Needed
Tea is brewed per cup, to order, using the tea aeration and blender machines — there's no daily tea station setup or starter batch to prepare.
Boba Timing
The full process (steam to a rolling boil, then cook) takes 45-60 minutes, and cooked pearls are only good for 4 hours after that. If you expect a slow day, consider cooking a smaller batch and making a second batch later. Do not start the rice maker before arrival time — they will expire before close.
Because the full process can take up to an hour, a batch started right at arrival (10:30 AM) may not be ready by the 11:00 AM open. That's expected — other drinks can be served in the meantime while the first batch finishes.
4. Outdoor Furniture and Space Setup
- [ ] Bring the outdoor furniture (tables and chairs) outside
- [ ] Confirm the art/gallery space is set up and presentable (easels, canvases, and displayed art in place) — Sit and Paint is available as a walk-in any day, so this isn't just for days with a scheduled event
- [ ] Wipe down all counters and the drink prep area
- [ ] Clean and organize the seating area — straighten chairs and tables
- [ ] Double-check every table and area in the shop is clean, not just the ones used the day before
- [ ] Check restroom: stocked with soap, paper towels, and toilet paper; clean and presentable
- [ ] Ensure display cases are clean and merchandise is neatly arranged
5. Stock Supplies
- [ ] Stock cups (all sizes)
- [ ] Stock lids and dome lids
- [ ] Stock straws (regular and boba-width)
- [ ] Stock napkins
- [ ] Stock to-go bags
- [ ] Refill straw and napkin dispensers in the customer area
6. Cash Drawer Verification
- [ ] Count the cash drawer and verify it matches the expected starting amount
- [ ] Make sure the card reader is connected and responsive
- [ ] Do a test transaction if anything seems off
Cash Discrepancy
If the cash drawer count does not match the expected amount, note the difference and contact the manager at [email protected] before opening. Do not adjust the count without approval.
7. Check the Day's Schedule
- [ ] Review the event schedule for the day
- [ ] If Paint & Boba is scheduled, or a larger Sit and Paint group than the daily walk-in setup covers:
- [ ] Set out additional easels and canvases at the designated tables
- [ ] Lay out paint supplies (brushes, palettes, water cups, aprons)
- [ ] Cover tables with protective coverings
- [ ] If a private event is booked (Mondays or after hours), review the event details so you are prepared
8. Final Check
- [ ] Confirm the espresso machine is powered on and ready
- [ ] Confirm boba pearls are cooked and sitting in sugar syrup (if the batch is still cooking, keep an eye on it and let guests know boba drinks are coming up shortly)
- [ ] Do a quick walkthrough: everything looks clean, stocked, and inviting
- [ ] Turn on any music or ambient sound
Quick Reference
| Task | Time Needed | Start By |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: hot water, ice, boba rice maker, register/clock-in, OPEN signs, door sign | ~5 min | Immediately on arrival |
| Boba rice maker: boil + cook (total, from rice maker start) | 45-60 min | Started during priority tasks |
| Espresso machine power-on | ~1 min (full-auto, no warmup) | Right after priority tasks |
| Outdoor furniture, space setup, and cleaning | 15-20 min | Right after priority tasks |
| Cash drawer verification | 5 min | 10:50 AM |
| Final walkthrough | 5 min | 10:55 AM |
Boba Timing vs. Arrival Window
The current arrival time (30 minutes before open) is shorter than the full 45-60 minute boba process. If boba availability at open is a priority, this gap is worth revisiting with management — either an earlier arrival on scheduled days, or accepting that boba drinks come online shortly after open rather than at open.
Last updated: July 2026