By RACHEL BRANT
Staff writer
African teas, Bolivian and Guatemalan coffees and worldly wines and beers are just a select few of the beverages served at The Global Bean Coffee Traders.
Joel Skellie and Lance Gilbert opened The Global Bean, located in the Highland Business Park on Myhre Road in Silverdale, about a month ago and the quaint coffee shop is already bustling with customers.
“It’s just amazing, we’ve only been open four weeks and wow,” Skellie said.
The Global Bean is not your average java joint. A handcrafted grand piano and brick fireplace decorate the cozy coffeehouse where customers can enjoy beverages from all around the world.
“It’s not just a coffee house, but the whole idea of thinking globally,” Skellie said.
The Global Bean sells all types of beverages including French pressed coffee, Fair-Trade single-origin espresso, organic loose-leaf teas and Sipping Chocolate as well as wine and beer. The coffee shop also offers a variety of foods including pastries and panini sandwiches.
“We really do set a higher standard,” Gilbert said. “We’re just not going to make something we don’t like.”
Skellie and Gilbert, both experienced musicians, were members of the Bremerton Symphony and have been friends for many years. The pair decided they wanted to open a business and concluded a coffeehouse was the best idea.
“I mean it’s the Northwest, come on, go with the flow and do what you’re supposed to do,” Gilbert said with a smile.
Gilbert and Skellie are both coffee drinkers, but knew little about creating drinks. With the help of an experienced roaster, the pair quickly learned the ropes of running a coffeehouse.
“Neither one of us knew anything about food service, but we learned fast,” Gilbert said.
The Global Bean also invites local and international artists to entertain the caffeinated crowd. Whether a musician plays bluegrass or Celtic music, he or she is welcome to perform at The Global Bean.
“We are interested in the type of musician who just plays for the love of it,” Gilbert said.
Musicians are not the only performers welcomed at The Global Bean. The coffee shop also hosts poetry and novel readings, classic movie nights, jam sessions and screenings of hit television shows both current and vintage.
“Our hope and desire is that this becomes a community resource,” Skellie said.
The Global Bean also offers a daily calendar of events including “Mornings at The Bean” from 6 to 9 a.m. and “The Life After…” 3-5 p.m. where after-school study groups get free coffee.
The Global Bean opens its doors for community events including Bible studies, craft groups, study groups, non-profit meetings, cultural awareness events, book clubs and other activities.
Gilbert and Skellie are both surprised and pleased the Silverdale community has embraced their coffee shop and hopes more people will steer away from the coffee chains and venture into the locally owned business.
“It amazes me all the new people that come in and become so passionate about the place,” Gilbert said. “Everyone keeps coming back.”
The Global Bean also is looking to hire staff members who are searching for a permanent place of employment.
“We’re slow to add staff because we want permanent staff,” Gilbert said.
Both Skellie and Gilbert can be found at The Global Bean making drinks and sandwiches all hours of the day.
“We’re not investors who are sort of absent,” Skellie said. “We’re kind of living what we’re doing.”
The Global Bean
Coffee Traders
2021 NW Myhre Road, Suite 101
Silverdale
(360) 692-9582
Monday-Thursday, 6 a.m.-10 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, 6 a.m.-Midnight
Sunday, 7 a.m.-4 p.m.
www.theglobalbean.com
