"Keep it simple. Keep it fresh. Keep it local." That's the motto of Bean Rush Cafe, a winsome coffee shop committed to personal touch. With locations in Crownsville and Annapolis, Maryland and a deep connection with the local community, it might surprise customers to know that owners Mark and Shannon Abrahams worked on private charter yachts in the Caribbean before starting Bean Rush Cafe. Once their dream of starting a family became a reality, they left the high seas and dove into the world of independent business.
The Abrahams took time to talk with One Village Coffee about our collaboration and the value of small business partnerships, the importance of adaptability for businesses in the era of COVID-19, and what it means to be part of the Bean Rush family.
The Abrahams took time to talk with One Village Coffee about our collaboration and the value of small business partnerships, the importance of adaptability for businesses in the era of COVID-19, and what it means to be part of the Bean Rush family.
What makes Bean Rush Cafe unique from other coffeehouses?
Bean Rush Cafe takes huge pride in being a local coffee shop that gives an exceptional product along with exceptional service. In today's climate it is more important than ever that each customer gets an experience like no other. To this day I still envision giving new customers the best latte I can make and I take great pride in it. Whether this is through steaming the perfect milk that gives soft velvety foam and a perfect Rosetta or giving the customer service that exceeds expectations, we always strive to give everything we have. As business owners we are very involved in the front of house, as this gives us an opportunity to keep a sharp eye on the day to day running of things. It also allows us to build and foster relationships with all of our customers.
Bean Rush Cafe takes huge pride in being a local coffee shop that gives an exceptional product along with exceptional service. In today's climate it is more important than ever that each customer gets an experience like no other. To this day I still envision giving new customers the best latte I can make and I take great pride in it. Whether this is through steaming the perfect milk that gives soft velvety foam and a perfect Rosetta or giving the customer service that exceeds expectations, we always strive to give everything we have. As business owners we are very involved in the front of house, as this gives us an opportunity to keep a sharp eye on the day to day running of things. It also allows us to build and foster relationships with all of our customers.
What stands out to you about Bean Rush Cafe's relationship with One Village Coffee?
We have been fortunate to have a strong relationship with One Village from the very beginning and have seen many changes and growth over the years. As small business owners we also pride ourselves on doing business with other like-minded small businesses that take the same care and pride that we do. I value being able to pick up the phone and talk to someone directly. I also appreciate the extra effort that One Village does in private labelling.
You both worked on Caribbean yachts before launching Bean Rush. What lessons did the team apply from that time to your current company?
You both worked on Caribbean yachts before launching Bean Rush. What lessons did the team apply from that time to your current company?
Working on private mega yachts allowed us to thrive in a high paced, high pressured industry where expectations and service were paramount. It showed us an amazing work ethic which involved working 16-hour days for months on end. It's amazing what you can accomplish when you put your mind to it! It definitely prepared us for the extreme highs and lows of opening multiple businesses. Resilience, grit and determination are all characteristics that we pride ourselves on and more importantly they are life lessons we will instill on our kids, Madeleine and Micah.
How has Bean Rush navigated the current pandemic and how would you described the Bean Rush family?
Just like other food and beverage establishments Bean Rush has been pushed in directions previously unknown to us. We adapted extremely quickly and remodeled our business to focus solely on take out and online ordering. We have also been very fortunate to have a strong community that continually rally behind us. There isn't a day that passes that we don't think how grateful we are for this support. It truly has been amazing. The Bean Rush Family is an extension of this. Not only do we have extremely loyal customers, we have the support and strength of hard-working employees that genuinely care for the well-being of Bean Rush Cafe. As business owners, we expect a lot from our employees and they always deliver. It takes a lot to work at Bean Rush and we appreciate the hard work, dedication and loyalty the crew give us. We know for a fact that without them our Bean Rush dream would not be possible and we are forever grateful for everything they do.
During the pandemic I have racked my brain to see what is possible when things went South. With this in my mind, we have been fortunate to expand our small family to Baltimore Washington Medical Center. We are super excited to give this new community the same quality and service that all our Bean Rush patrons have come accustomed to. We are looking to open March 1st.
Learn more about Bean Rush Cafe and their story, online store, menu , and catering options at their website here.
Want to partner with One Village Coffee for your roasting and coffee needs? Email us at joshua@onevillagecoffee.com.
