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Posted by on Dec 16, 2015 in Blog | 0 comments

Roscoe’s Coffee Bar, Richmond Virginia

Roscoe Logo

By Ginny McKinney
Marshmallow Ranch
facebook.com/marshmallowranch

Located in the Historic Depot District of Richmond, Indiana…Roscoe’s is the brainchild of Terri and Mark Widau. Along with their business partner, Jared Ward, the Widau’s strove to create a meeting place that would give people a sense of community…especially for the students of Earlham College located nearby.

After living on the outskirts of town, the Widau’s sold all but a small piece of their rural property and bought a two story building in the historic district, opening Roscoe’ in September 2012. With their living quarters upstairs, the first floor is home to the coffee bar as well as their sister business of selling craft beers. Ullery Ice Cream is sold in a corner of the main room. Light lunch fare of paninis are offered along with local chocolates. Jared Ward roasts single source coffees daily with fresh grind on the premises.

Rosco Wall

With a casual atmosphere of exposed brick and local art, Roscoe’s offers a haven from the hustle and bustle of the world. A very large living area with sofas is located in the rear of the coffee bar inviting one to come and stay a while. Terri wants everyone to leave with the feeling they were met on equal ground, and accepted right where they are in life. Oh, and anyone who names their coffee bar after their dog, Roscoe, is ok in my book.

Roscoe’s Coffee Bar & Tap Room
185 Ft. Wayne Avenue
Richmond, Indiana 47374

Hours
Monday-Thursday 7am-9pm
Friday 7am-11pm
Saturday 8am-11pm
Sunday 11am-5pm

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Posted by on Nov 24, 2015 in Blog, Cafes & Coffeehouses, Coffee In America, Coffeehouse Scouts, Main Street USA | 0 comments

Bartender Turned Beantender

The Local Grind Coffee House, Murrell’s Inlet, South Carolina
By Ginny McKinney, Marshmallow Ranch

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Jessie Walls was a bartender for twelve years. She was “over the bar scene” yet she loved the mixology aspect as well as contact with the customers. It wasn’t a very big stretch for her to determine a coffee shop would give her both. Jessie purchases her beans from Charleston Roasters, a small-batch local roaster. Most of their beans are organic unless you get into some of their blends. They also sell loose leaf teas.image7

The Local Grind offers a simple sandwich menu along with in-house baked goods. (I had the carrot cake which was divine!) local artists are featured as well as Art and Music Nights. Located in an original 1940’s Murrell’s Inlet cottage, you can sit in the garden room complete with live fig ivy walls. Jessie hopes you will step away from the hustle and bustle of daily life and relax for a while, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

The Local Grind Coffee House
880 Inlet Square Dr.
Murrell’s Inlet, SC 29576

M-F 7:00-5:00
Sat 7:00-3:00
Sun Closed

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Posted by on Nov 21, 2015 in Blog, Cafes & Coffeehouses, Coffee In America, Coffeehouse Scouts, Support Mom-N-Pop Businesses | 0 comments

Family With 8 Children Run The Roasted Bean

Family With 8 Children Run The Roasted Bean

The Roasted Bean, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
By Ginny McKinney, Marshmallow Ranch

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In a family of 8 children, there is always someone handy to assist owner TJ Weeden in her darling little coffee shop. Originally from Syracuse, NY, TJ and her husband began roasting their own coffee beans for personal co sumptuous after their daughter sent a gift of fresh roasted beans from Vermont. A passion was soon born and they decided to share all the good things of fresh roasted beans. They new they wanted to be located in a place with a lot of foot traffic and stumbled upon the perfect location in the SOHO Shops of The Market Common in Myrtle Beach.

image5Baked goods come from locally owned and operated Benjamin’s Bakery. A variety of coffee and non-coffee drinks are available as well as a breakfast and lunch menu.

TJ hopes you come away from her shop feeling like family after having a really good cup of coffee.

 

The Roasted Bean
Conveniently Located in the SOHO Shops of The Market Common
2954 E Howard Avenue
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

TJ Weeden, Owner
Open 6:30-5:00, Monday-Saturday

You can follow The Roasted Bean here:
Facebook – The Roasted Bean
Twitter – @bean_the
Instagram – @theroastedbean

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Posted by on Nov 19, 2015 in Blog, Cafes & Coffeehouses, Coffee In America, Coffeehouse Scouts, Main Street USA | 0 comments

Mom & Daughter Duo Take The Plunge

Mom & Daughter Duo Take The Plunge

River Blend Coffee House, Glenwood Springs, Colorado
by Ginny McKinney

image4Lisa Nieslanik and AJ Hasbrouck have always loved quaint little coffeehouses. This mom/daughter duo decided to take the plunge and open their own place when Lisa retired. While AJ always dreamed they would open on a beach somewhere, they both were thrilled when the opportunity for the perfect space presented itself at the perfect time.

Located off the lobby of the Hotel Denver, directly across the street from the Amtrak Station in Historic Downtown Glenwood Springs, CO, you would be hard pressed to find a more suitable place for River Blend Coffeehouse to open. On any given day of the week, this bustling little venue serves up locally roasted Bonfire Coffee and handcrafted pastries from a local baker.

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The biggest reward this team has gained are the stories they hear from their customers about the history of this lovely mountain town. Lisa and AJ love sharing their town with the tourist who flock in to visit and grab a leisurely cuppa on the sidewalk cafe outside their door. Come sit awhile and gaze up at the Glenwood Adventure Park with their rides high above the canyon wall or listen for the whistle of the California Zephir as it pulls into the train station. You’ll find yourself coming back again and again.

River Blend Coffee House
402 7th Street, Suite #120
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601

970-230-9632
Hours: 6am – 2pm Daily
www.riverblendcoffeehouse.com
info@riverblendcoffeehouse.com

by Ginny McKinneyimage2
FB/marshmallowranch

 

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Posted by on Jul 9, 2015 in Blog, It's About Community, Shop Small | 0 comments

Let’s travel to Union Station!

Let’s travel to Union Station!

Lying in bed on a rainy night, I was serenaded by the sound of the rain on the roof tapping rhythmically against the windows. Then, the distant sound of the train joined in. The horn sent warning signals into the damp air, the squeaks and squeals of the metal wheels on the metal tracks added to the melody.

The Local Coffeehouse Guide | All Rights ReservedI LOVE the sound of trains. I’m from Phoenix, AZ and when it comes to transportation, Arizona is so different from the East Coast or the Midwest where ports and trains and barges are so prevalent. Rails and rivers intrigue me as I travel across America. On one of my road trips I took advantage of these people movers and parked at the outskirts of the edge of New York City, Boston, and Chicago metropolitan areas and took the train. It was GLORIOUS!!

I exited each train at their respective Union Stations. In Chicago they were having a gala event and the hubbub created a lively energy. Boston offered a ton of movement as it was Day 1 of Occupy Boston. For NYC I actually parked in the Bronx then took the subway to Battery Park and walked to Times Square. All aboard!

All over the US we are seeing the re-gentrification of our downtown areas. In the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s the suburbs became the focal point as people desired new homes, new schools, new stores and many of our downtowns became dirty, fast-paced and undesirable.

Not any more! It’s everywhere! Small towns and big cities alike are creating community in the town square and the local businesses that surround it. My hometown of Denver has remodeled our Union Station and made it a destination for visitors. I can’t get enough of the 50 foot ceilings and comfortable surroundings where you can find a local coffeehouse, small boutiques and local craft beer!

It’s even been dubbed “Denver’s Living Room”. Come out for a visit!

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