St. Petersburg Welcomes New Specialty Coffee Café
St. Petersburg is buzzing with excitement as Sun Bear Specialty Coffee Roasters has opened its first café in the EDGE District after four years of micro-roasting from a garage. This new establishment is located inside Sans Market at 1037 Central Avenue, marking a significant milestone for owner Kenny Beers.
Focus on Quality Coffee
Sun Bear Café’s menu features a variety of farmer-focused single-origin coffee and espresso drinks. Prices are set at $6 for espresso drinks and cold brews, $4 for hot coffee, and $2 for espresso shots. Customers can also enhance their beverages with homemade organic syrups.
Beers has a strong emphasis on the importance of coffee farmers, often showcasing notable producers like Andres Cardona and Sebastian Ramirez. The café’s design reflects this commitment to quality; it includes a simple yet elegant wooden bar set on concrete blocks, coupled with shelves displaying retail bags of coffee sourced from various international producers.
A Commitment to Sustainability
Not only does Sun Bear Café prioritize the quality of its coffee, but it also aligns its business practices with a dedication to community and sustainability. Beers pointed out that their mission aligns well with Sans Market’s goals to reduce single-use plastics and encourage the use of reusable products. By collaborating with other local businesses, Sun Bear promotes a culture of sustainable practices while appealing to coffee enthusiasts.
Local Partnerships
Customers will also find delicious baked goods available, provided by a local micro bakery named Two Bite Tuesday. This collaboration further underscores the community-oriented mission of Sun Bear Café, which gained popularity following word-of-mouth recommendations during its initial phases.
Sun Bear’s coffee beans have found their way into other local retailers, available at locations like Rollin’ Oats and Earth Origins in both St. Petersburg and Sarasota. This further expands the reach of their quality offerings, making it easier for residents to access premium coffee.
A Journey to Café Life
Kenny Beers began his journey in coffee roasting while living in Cambodia. After moving back to St. Petersburg during the COVID-19 pandemic, he started roasting beans in his apartment. The positive reception of his coffee led him to launch Sun Bear, which has now evolved from a small operation into a full-fledged café.
Initially, Sun Bear gained traction through local markets and partnerships, notably with businesses like Pete’s Bagels, creating a network of support within the community. As Beers witnessed increasing interest, the step toward opening a café became a realistic goal.
Café Hours and Social Media Updates
Sun Bear Café operates daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the exception of Tuesdays when it remains closed. Customers interested in keeping updated on specials and events can follow Sun Bear on social media to connect with the café’s vibrant community.
With its emphasis on quality, sustainability, and community, Sun Bear Café aims to carve a niche for itself in the St. Petersburg coffee scene while celebrating the farmers behind every cup.
