About Bean
As a roaster of specialty coffee, I am always looking for the sweet spot of a particular bean, such as the blueberry nuances that can be found in Ethiopian varieties, or the bright citrus notes of coffees from Costa Rica. Attention to detail allows me to create a consistent product of quality.
My culinary background is what sets me apart from other roasters. Restaurant-work runs in my family. My father owned and managed restaurants in Tennessee, so I have been working in them in some fashion before I was legally able. Watching my dad mop and sweat and toil alongside his crew taught me to do the same. Hopefully my son will learn the honor of hard work as he works alongside me.
The switch to roasting was a natural one for me, and in my fifteen-plus years of roasting, I’ve always felt that attention to detail is the key. Roasting coffee for me is an artisan craft; I use all my senses to connect to this process–man and bean connecting to create a fine cup to share and enjoy with other human beings. This is truly what brings me joy: to see a face light up upon the first sip. And you can watch me roast your beans right in the back of the store while you read through your inbox.
Bean is not fancy nor is it interested in fads. This is a cozy, friendly, community-centered gathering place focused on the natural profile of this ancient crop. Of course, I offer variations of the standard cup, some seriously badass cold brew, and our staff can do some magical things with their foam art on our ancient espresso machine. From our inception, we’ve always abided by a do-it-yourself ethos. We did most of the work here with our own hands and with the help of friends. We make do with what we have and focus on what actually matters like a quality product and a good time.
I take pleasure in creating the perfect sandwich or bagel concoction and relish in the colorful palate of a well made salad. We make our own curried tuna salad, hummus and smoothies, and use local bakeries like Nancy’s Bagels and Wiltshire to provide fresh pastries and bagels. Come in for a breakfast of locally sourced granola, yogurt, and honey. Try our tuna salad for lunch and mid-afternoon snack of a hummus plate with your afternoon espresso.
Finally, the setting of Germantown is not only special to us because I get to share my treats with you, it is also our home. We’ve lived in the neighborhood for two decades and have loved watching it grow. This dream to share a neighborhood space in my own backyard has finally come true. I aim to provide a much needed communal space for art and pleasure, for lively conversation or quiet study–a place where all walks of life in this diverse neighborhood connect. We want Bean to feel like home; we want to know you by name.
From my cup to yours,
Billy Seckman