Last Monday marked the grand opening of BeanTree, a locally-owned and operated coffee shop on University Boulevard. Bright, block letters accompanied by a small tree symbol announce the shop’s enthusiasm, inviting customers in with a “Buy One; Get One Free” deal posted on its glass doors.
The first BeanTree, located in Aurora, opened in 2010.
“My wife previously managed a PeaBerry Coffee franchise for six years before we decided to open our own coffee shop,” said John Suh, BeanTree manager.
BeanTree’s menu features a striking combination of Oriental, French and American cuisine, with staples like boba tea, crepes and breakfast sandwiches. Suh explains the inspiration behind this mix.
“Sometimes you walk into a coffee shop and think, ‘I don’t feel like having a pastry; I want a meal, a good meal, something that’s filling and exciting,’” said Suh.
In an attempt to fulfill this adventurous craving, BeanTree offers bibimbob, a signature Korean dish, composed of white rice and sliced meat, topped with sautéed and seasoned vegetables and chili pepper paste. The dish is priced at $7.99 and is the most expensive item on the menu.
“So far, the people love the spice,” said Suh with a smile.
The eclectic menu mirrors the variety in customers’ coffee preferences.
“A lot of people talk about good or bad coffee,” said Suh. “Someone can go into a shop and say it has the worst coffee, but another person can go into the same shop and say it has the best coffee. Everyone just has different tastes, and we should have a respect for that. The best thing I can do is invest in high quality. And we do have our ears open; we’re willing to listen to our customers.”
BeanTree managers’ good ears are complemented by their earnest inquiries for honest opinions, urging customers to give their products genuine evaluations.
“We tasted ten or 11 roasters before deciding on Silver Canyon (a Boulder-based company), and we have an agreement with them,” said Suh.“We want the freshest coffee. We want to order first and then they roast the beans and deliver them to us, instead of them roasting the beans and then we order and they give us the leftovers.”
BeanTree’s roaster isn’t the only of its suppliers that is locally based.
“All the food is local. We purchase our products from different stores according to which store has the best quality of which product,” said Suh. “For example, the pickles are good here, so we get them from here, but the bread is good somewhere else, so we get it from there.”
BeanTree offers a variety of specialty drinks including its unique “Snow Bear,” a delicious frozen combination of espresso and whole milk topped with crunchy nuts, caramel and chocolate syrup.
Despite it being new, BeanTree’s online reviews are consistently positive, with customers giving the coffee, atmosphere and staff high ratings. This small shop may have big potential brewing in each cup of its locally-roasted coffee.
“We understand it takes time to build up a business,” said Suh.
But he and his wife Suemin’s hopes continue to grow.
“We want to make this shop a place where friends hang out. We have a little study area up here. I don’t have music yet but they’re welcome to bring their headphones,” said Suh.
