Welcome to Richard's Blog

Author: applegater

  • Installing Digital Menu Boards at Anthem Coffee & Tea: A DIY Upgrade for Six Locations

    If you’ve recently checked out the menu at any Anthem Coffee & Tea location and noticed something new and high-tech hanging above the counter—yep, that digital display for food and drinks—I have a fun behind-the-scenes story for you. I’m the one who ordered and installed the ceiling mounts for all 6 of our stores—solo!

    Why Go Digital?

    Our menu is always growing with new drinks, pastries, and specials you don’t want to miss. Paper menus or wall signs can feel cluttered and don’t always get updated quickly. Digital menu boards are a great way to:

    • Show off new items right as they launch
    • Keep the counter area clean and open
    • Make the menu visible for everyone, no matter where you’re waiting

    To pull this off at six different Anthem Coffee & Tea locations, we needed a reliable mounting system. That’s where my solo project really began.

    One Person, Six Ceiling Mounts

    I’m not the owner (I wish, haha!), but I take a lot of pride in making things better for our customers and my coworkers. Figuring out which mounts to get took some serious research. I required something strong, safe, and easy to install—since I was doing every step myself.

    Once I settled on the right model, I ordered six ceiling mounts—one for each store. When they arrived, my car looked like a mobile hardware store: boxes and brackets filled up every seat and square inch!

    The DIY Install Adventure

    Doing a six-store project by myself was no small task! Here’s what it looked like at each Anthem location:

    • Unpack & Prep: Lay out the tools, brackets, and cables so nothing got lost.
    • Measure (twice!): Make sure the menu would be at the perfect viewing angle.
    • Up the Ladder: Drill, anchor, and secure the mount to the ceiling—all while hoping not to drop a single screw!
    • Mount the TV & Hide the Cables: A neat, tidy look was always the goal.
    • Test It Out: Make sure every display was straight, working, and ready to shine.

    It took some sweat, problem-solving, and a lot of coffee, but I managed to get each digital menu display up and running.

    The Payoff

    Now, every guest at Anthem Coffee & Tea can enjoy a modern, easy-to-read menu at every location. Updating specials is a breeze, and the setup looks so much more inviting. Best of all, I get a little boost of pride whenever I see someone glance up and easily find what they want.

    Have questions about the setup or want to know how you can do something similar? Please let me know in the comments or stop by the next time you’re in for your favorite drink. Thanks for letting me share a bit of the behind-the-scenes magic—and for supporting Anthem Coffee & Tea!

    So far, I am pleased with myself for completing three stores in a single week. Now, we can continue to achieve this.

  • Another TV Project Complete—This Time With a Ceiling Mount in Old Town!

    After the success of my last TV installation project, I was thrilled to take on a brand-new challenge at a different location—in the heart of historic Old Town! This time, I got to flex some new skills: mounting a TV from the ceiling.

    Stepping Up: The Ceiling Mount Advantage

    Old Town is known for its unique architecture and cozy business spaces. Occasionally, that means wall space is at a premium, or the viewing angles for a wall-mounted TV just aren’t ideal. In this case, the best solution was a sleek, efficient ceiling mount. Not only does it save space, but it also gives everyone in the room a perfect view—exactly what a modern menu display or information screen needs.

    The Process: Precision From Above

    Ceiling mounting is a more technical task than your average wall install. I started by carefully checking the ceiling beams and structure to make sure the mount would be 100% secure for the long haul. With all the right anchors and tools, I mapped out the perfect spot and got to work.

    After attaching the mount and lifting the TV into place (a solid upper-body workout!), I made sure all the wiring was neat, hidden, and safe. Once everything was set, I powered up the display—right in the center of the action, perfectly angled for everyone to see.

    Why Ceiling Mounts Make a Difference

    Not only does the ceiling mount look clean and professional, but it also brings real versatility to a space—no more crowding up the counters or blocking windows. In a character-rich place like Old Town, it was the right call to keep the atmosphere open while still adding modern tech.

    Best of all? The staff were thrilled, the menu looked sharp, and everyone who walked in could tell this was a real upgrade.

    Final Thoughts

    Every new location brings its surprises, and Old Town was no different. Adding the ceiling mount to my growing list of skills made this project extra satisfying. Here’s to more creative installs and happy customers—wherever the next job takes me!

    Have a unique space or need a custom TV setup? Let’s make it happen—ceiling, wall, or anywhere creativity calls for it!

    Stay tuned for more stories as I take on new tech challenges around the city!

    Before mount

    I did install TV Mount, and It was so simple to do. This time was doing one TV Measure so 24 inch both side TV on back. Then add another 24 inch so that where the second mount screw will be at. So helpful resource.

    This was taken down old wall mount to ceiling mount

    My favorite brand and their TV mount were so strong that they guaranteed it would last for a lifetime.

    After mount now both are ceiling mount

    Check out this location in Old Town, grab a drink and a snack, chill in the lobby, patio and enjoy the superfast free Wi-Fi here.

  • Nailed It: My Perfect TV Mount Install for the Menu Display

    If you’ve ever tried mounting a TV—especially in a business where customer eyes are on it all day—you know there’s no room for error. This week, I took on the challenge of mounting two TVs as digital menu boards. Not only did I have two different styles of mounts to work with, but I wanted it to look flawless.

    Step 1: Assessing the Hardware

    With the TVs laid out and ready, I double-checked the mounting systems. As you can see in the first photo, I had two entirely unique mounts—one a sleek low-profile style, and the other a hearty articulating arm. This meant double the math and double the measuring to make sure both TVs would line up perfectly on the wall.

    Step 2: Measure Twice, Drill Once

    I took no shortcuts: every measurement was checked twice, and I factored in both the mounting difference and the wall space above the coffee shop counter. Installing menu screens leaves zero room for crookedness—customers can spot a mistake from across the room!

    Step 3: The Perfect Reveal

    The result? Check out the second photo! Both TVs are mounted perfectly, creating a seamless, professional digital menu board. The screens are aligned, secure, and look absolutely stunning against the backdrop of the coffee shop.

    What I Learned (and Why I’m Proud)

    • Planning matters. Don’t assume all mounting brackets are the same, even if the TVs are.
    • Precision is everything. There’s no such thing as “good enough” for digital displays.
    • A job done right gets noticed. Not a single customer has noticed the mounts—and that’s exactly how it should be.

    So, I’ll go ahead and say it: I nailed this install, and these menu screens are proof that if you take your time and trust your skills, you can get the perfect result!

    This before,  then we add another TV

Secret Link