Described as a portion of SoHo in Hughesville, Not Just a Bean provides a unique coffee experience.
The coffee shop began in November of last year because patron Matt Yeager wanted to bring something different to the small town.
They have bagels from Long Island and other items from New York. They are also truly a micro-roaster. They roast their coffee in small batches every day.
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ALYSSA?MURPHY/Sun-Gazette
An employee attends to equipment at Not Just a Bean coffee shop in Hughesville.
"We were interested in one specific origin: Costa Rica," Yeager said. "It's our signature coffee."
The name Not Just a Bean results from Yeager's daughter, Justine. Her family called her "Just a Bean." The name also reflects how the shop sells more than just coffee. Even those who avoid coffee can find something at Not Just a Bean.
"You don't have to like coffee to come here," Yeager said. "But if you love it, you have to come here."
Fact Box
Not Just a Bean
Coffee Shop
24 N. Main St.
Hughesville
www.notjustabean.com
Hours:
Mon. - 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tues. to Thur. - 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Fri. - 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sat. - 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sun. - 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The shop also offers cappuccino, lattes, canned soft drinks, frozen drinks, and even coffee-based drinks without coffee. If people do not want the coffee added to their drinks, they can have it specially made without it.
Some people just come for the food, including the speciality paninis and bagel sandwiches. The staff tries to change up the sandwich menu weekly to always provide fresh new ideas.
They have simple sandwiches and unique panini sandwiches, like pizza, pulled pork, and a Philly cheesesteak. They have about 10 or 12 different bagel flavors, with eight or nine different kinds of cream cheese made from scratch. From Friday to Sunday, they also sell sticky buns made from scratch.
Their four months of continual growth relies on repeat business and word of mouth. They only advertise locally. Customers post on the store's Facebook page and website's guestbook, sharing how much they enjoyed their meal and inviting others to try it.
Facebook is a main way of advertising for the shop. Yeager does not think that he has fully utilized what the social networking website offers yet, but he wants to do more with it in the future. The customers seem to enjoy the page.
Entertainment is also offered at Not Just a Bean.
Yeager wants to have a regular open mic in the future. Currently, they have it whenever it's convenient. Live music will also become more frequent with the growth of the shop.
For art lovers, workers Damon McCloskey started a mural on the wall of the coffee shop before it opened. It is still a work in progress.
