Most small coffee shop owners might feel threatened when a corporate giant moves in just down the block.
But not Corinda DeVingo, owner of Bean's, a java destination since 1974 on Church Street in Montclair. "We're totally different than Starbucks, I'm not worried," she says. "We have hundreds of loyal customers - many come here to buy their own custom blends, which we keep on file," Corinda told Baristanet yesterday, opening three drawers full of Rolodex cards. "A lot of our customers are mail-order clients," she adds.
Indeed. The quality and choice of beans is impressive. With over 30 varieties of coffee beans for sale, fresh baked goods, pastries, and shelves stuffed with rare teas, teapots, and gourmet gifts for the consummate hot beverage lover, no wonder the cozy little shop has its passionate devotees. Here's what one Bean's fan says:
"If you're into the brew: I drink coffee all day and Im into mixing beans this place is truly grand. With a million flavors-and decaff too, Ladies!"
With their new neighbor down the block, will it be business as usual for Beans?
"We realize parking might be a problem for our customers, so now we offer curbside service," Corinda added.
Beans is located at 42 Church Street, Montclair. 973-783-3575.
Comments (13)
I'm sure I'll be the first of many to say: "We LOVE Beans, when you walk in, you can't help but notice the rich aroma... one just goes 'I'll have some of that please'...and you know why you keep on coming back."
And Corinda is the nicest person you'll ever find...a true sense of the community too.
Beans is MONTCLAIR...and will always be.
Never set foot in the place, but what a great name. Corinda DeVingo, sounds like something P.G. Wodehouse would have come up with.
But it's "Rolodex."
Go get 'em Corrinda!! Beans is a treasure- it's been one of the things that has made our neighborhood special for years. If there's any doubt that Starbucks is the "evil empire", I'll share part of the conversation I had with someone from our coffee supplier this week. He told me that if I was considering changing any coffee prices, to wait untill Starbucks opened. Each store has different prices- they look at what other places in the neighborhood are charging first so that they can undersell them.
I've always thought that these guys purposely position themselves to drive independent coffee shops out of business. I truly hope that doesn't happen here.
Beans is a treasure. I don't see that they have a lot to worry about. What they offer Starbucks can't match and even the folks who will go to Starbucks will probably still frequent Beans. But there are other stores in the area that may take a hit.
I've been buying my coffee at Beans for over 20 years.
They have scrumptious apple croissants and I love devouring one on my way out with a 'stash' of Guatemalan and Mocha Java.
Corinda and her staff are very knowledgable and friendly. Good vibrations abound.
Beans, Beans good for the heart, the more you drink, the more you...
Long live Beans! It's a great place to go for gifts. You can find so many different and unique products to create a gift basket, for example. The only drawback is space. It gets crowded very easily but it's worth the wait.
This place is definitely on my list of places to go this weekend while I'm putting off my 10-page paper that is due on Tuesday.
I am all for small businesses and will continue to support Beans over Starbucks without question. That said, I've been surprised to read so many reviews of the Beans staff being friendly, as I've nearly always found them to be quite curt.
I hope they'll continue to thrive even as SB comes in, because it would be a shame to have Church Street turn into just another mall in NNJ.
Ah, Beans. When my husband & I first met in 1981, I used to bring him croissant and coffee from there. It was lovely and romantic...croissant were hard to come by back then. We then made our own blend, called Mukilteo, after a trip to Seattle. Beans is the original. I
I'm moving into the Siena shortly. I am not a fan of Starbucks......never have been, but I have, and will continue to shop at Bean's.
I have posted often pro Beans and rather not impressed with Starbucks. There is no comparison!
Starbucks coffee is often bottom of the pot, bitter. Beans is always flavorful. I love Beans coffees and yes, Corinda knows my blends and favorites--in Beans or ground green line...
I have posted often pro Beans and rather not impressed with Starbucks. There is no comparison!
Starbucks coffee is often bottom of the pot, bitter. Beans is always flavorful. I love Beans coffees and yes, Corinda knows my blends and favorites--in Beans or ground green line...