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The Big Bean
I-97 Business Park 231 Najoles Road, Suite 135 Millersville, MD 21108
thebigbean.com
410.384.7744
I t’s not just a cup of joe. For The Big Bean, their informal mission is “Coffee is Love. Coffee is Healing. Coffee is Life.” The “love” aspect was the impetus of The Big Bean. It all started with Christie, the first barista hired by the original owners of The Big Bean. Romance blossomed between Christie and a customer, Greg Coster. In 2019, Greg saw the opportunity to purchase The Big Bean through SBA funding, and the couple set out to keep the coffee shop’s original charm while adding in some big dreams of their own.
The Big Bean is a place where customers can escape the daily grind to enjoy the comforting smell of coffee grounds instead. Non-coffee drinkers can also get their fix through breakfast and lunch sandwiches, baked goods, smoothies or refreshers. Since the Costers took over, sales increased by 24 percent in the first year, with staffing also increasing by 20 percent. The store also expanded — The Big Bean now boasts three shops, with two located within St. John Properties business communities. The Big Bean anchors the first floor of 888 Bestgate in Annapolis, Maryland, with a 35-seat outdoor patio. Their newest location at I-97 Business Park in Millersville, Maryland has a coffee shop in the front with a warehouse, storage and logistics operation in the back. Both locations provide a bright space
for customers to relax, socialize or work while enjoying a delicious brew. “Quite honestly, if it were not for the outside the box/creative thinking of St. John’s leasing, design and construction teams, we would not be as successful as we are today. St. John Properties allowed us to dream, and they made our dream become reality,” said Greg. The road to creating the dream coffee locations wasn’t easy. Permitting was a challenge, as well as the design logistics of the space. But thanks to the collaboration between the Costers and St. John Properties, the two new locations are thriving with jaw-dropping interior designs. Whether you’re visiting the original location in Severna Park, or the two new additions in Annapolis or Millersville, customers are always treated to personalized service and
delicious menu items like The Big Bean’s famous Breakfast Harvest Cookie, the Mexican Mocha or their “Green Gorilla” protein smoothie and are treated like they’re part of the family.
“You never feel alone when you work with the St. John Properties’ team. You truly feel that you are part of a collaboration with the ultimate goal of elevating each other.” –Greg Costers, Owner, The Big Bean
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