Questions buyers ask us.
Straight answers about smart coolers, micro-markets, office coffee, cost and what happens after you say yes. Don't see your question? Call 917-621-6254 or book 15 minutes.
The basics
What is a micro market?
A micro market is a small, unstaffed store inside your building. People browse open shelves and glass-door coolers, pick what they want, and pay cashless: card, Apple Pay, Google Pay. It fits a break room wall or a lobby nook and stays open around the clock.
What is an AI smart cooler?
An AI smart cooler is a glass-front refrigerator that unlocks with a tap of a card or phone. You open the door, take what you want and close it, and you're charged only for what you took. Because it's refrigerated, it can carry fresh meals, salads, dairy and cold drinks.
Should my building get a micro-market or a smart cooler?
Smaller spaces and lobbies usually start with one or two smart coolers. Larger break rooms, multiple shifts and busy lobbies often fit a micro-market, which has room for more variety. We recommend one on your free mockup or walk-through.
Is this the same as a vending machine?
It does the same job, done better. If you've been looking for a snack machine or a break room provider in Syracuse, Binghamton, Rochester, Cortland or Ithaca, we place smart coolers, micro-markets and office coffee instead. Nothing drops through a coil: people open a door or browse a shelf, take real food, and pay only for what they took.
Do you offer office coffee service?
Yes. We set up coffee equipment in the break room, keep coffee and supplies stocked, and handle cleaning and service. It pairs well with a smart cooler or micro-market so one local team covers the whole break room. See office coffee service.
Cost and terms
What does it cost my building?
Nothing. We own the equipment and handle installation, stocking, cleaning, repairs, payments and refunds. You provide the space, a standard outlet and a contact we can call.
If it's free to host, how does Brown Bear make money?
People buy the food and drinks. That's how we earn, which is why we work hard to stock what your people actually want and keep it full.
How long is the agreement?
Our standard agreement runs one year and renews automatically. After the first year, either side can end it with 30 days' written notice.
Stocking and food
Who restocks it, and how often?
Our restock team services every machine on a set schedule and acts on what people tell us. Slow sellers come out, requested items go in, and the lineup keeps getting better. The schedule is set by how fast things sell, so shelves don't run low.
How often do you check in?
We survey your people every quarter and send you a short monthly update on how the machines are doing and what we're changing.
How do you know when it needs restocking?
Every smart cooler and micro-market is monitored remotely 24/7, so we can plan the next restock before shelves run low.
What food and drinks do you stock?
Fresh and refrigerated meals, wraps, salads, protein snacks, yogurt, fruit, cold drinks and classic snacks. The exact mix comes from a short survey of your residents, crew or staff before we install.
Can our people request products?
Yes. There's a QR code on every unit for requests, and we rotate in what people ask for.
Do you carry healthy options?
Yes. Every location has a better-for-you row next to the comfort food, so people on a diet or a double shift can find something that works.
Equipment and payments
How do people pay?
Everything is cashless: card, Apple Pay, Google Pay and other mobile wallets. No cash, no coins or bills to jam, and no refunds for your front desk to hand out.
How much space and power does it need?
A smart cooler needs about the floor space of a household refrigerator and a standard outlet. A micro-market needs a wall or corner for shelving and coolers. We confirm the fit on your mockup or walk-through.
How do you prevent theft?
Smart coolers unlock only with a card or phone. Micro-markets go in trusted spaces like break rooms and resident-only lobbies. We'll recommend the right setup for your building.
What if something breaks or a purchase goes wrong?
Call us. You'll reach the owners, not a call center. Refunds and product questions come straight to us, so your staff don't have to handle them.
Do my staff need to do anything?
No. We handle stocking, cleaning, repairs, payments and refunds. All we ask is a contact on site we can call.
Getting started
How does installation work?
After your mockup and survey, we schedule one visit to bring in the equipment, set it up, connect it and stock it. We work around your hours and your residents or shifts.
What areas do you serve?
We're based in Central New York and serve four areas: Syracuse and Onondaga County, Binghamton and Broome County, Rochester and Monroe County, and Cortland and Ithaca. See the full service area.
Is Brown Bear locally owned?
Yes. Brown Bear is a woman-owned business with deep Central New York roots. You work directly with the owners, with no middleman.
How do I get started?
Book a 15-minute call, send a photo of your space for a free mockup, or, for apartments and student housing, book an on-site walk-through. We'll take it from there.
Still have a question?
Ask us directly. You'll reach the owners.
or call 917-621-6254.
Serving Syracuse, Binghamton, Rochester, Cortland and Ithaca.