Keeping Fondren Caffeinated: Kristy Buchanan & The Bean
All over the world, coffeehouses fuel creativity, conversation, and community.
At Fondren's The Bean, Kristy Buchanan and her team of baristas are filling a gap with not only locally-roasted coffee but small plates, pastries, cocktails, craft beer, courtyard concerts, and more.
![Kristy Buchanan](https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/The-Bean-Buchanan.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=50f84c9e0dea2508f9f50c85f52b3457 320w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/The-Bean-Buchanan.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=b20a2a5fcf549e20e40d450e15e94338 540w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/The-Bean-Buchanan.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=f4233eb45efcdba9307be8174da40381 768w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/The-Bean-Buchanan.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=1029c2f1a4e1677c7b3286a0938d1a8d 1024w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/The-Bean-Buchanan.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=31d98658b856ced906130214c62ecabc 1080w)
"I lived in Brooklyn, New York for three years. My family and I have lived in New York, North Carolina, Georgia, and Ocean Springs. In all those cities, everywhere had coffee shops that had rotating functions throughout the day," Kristy said. "It was still a coffeehouse, but it would also have a cafe and offer wine and dessert at night. When we moved to Jackson, we saw a renaissance happening in the food world and wanted to be a part of creating something that we felt didn't exist here."
With the support of several business leaders in the neighborhood, Kristy took over the Sneaky Beans space and the community they had already cultivated and amplified it, turning it into the ultimate neighborhood gathering spot that's inclusive of all ages and interests.
![songwriters on the porch](https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/The-Bean-songwriters.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=74e714bd8f6b2452d89580f3e0f32ef5 320w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/The-Bean-songwriters.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=2a4cb6521603a5f053ace03a55e8387b 540w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/The-Bean-songwriters.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=f4b4c68554a79f2330d1d49551a1bf34 768w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/The-Bean-songwriters.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=5c267efe4be5b449b2397b26689a0ddf 1024w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/The-Bean-songwriters.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=40d1b28d2689ccf7d0fc501e8ffbeee2 1080w)
"Starting out in education and counseling, and also being a mother of young children, it was always important to me to provide a space for moms and kids [here]," Kristy said. "That was one of the best parts of coffee spots in Brooklyn. It would sometimes be too cold for kids to play outside, so they would host singalongs or other activities. My husband and I could get a babysitter and go back to the same place that night for dessert and wine. It was one space with so many different ways to utilize it, and it inspired our concept at The Bean."
Storytime on Tuesdays at 9 am has become a standby for local moms, taking place in the recently-added courtyard when the weather's nice. Another regularly scheduled courtyard event that's taken off is Songwriter Night, where local artists perform originals under the stars. With chillier temps on the rise, there are plenty of outdoor heaters to stay warm and enjoy the show. Trivia Night is also huge for The Bean, with large crowds packing the indoor and outdoor spaces.
![a woman tells a story to children using a book](https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/The-Bean-story-time-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=92fc8ca6fbb0472f9dec0e10c625f1cd 320w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/The-Bean-story-time-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=00c6a7840e7db40f30ccad517aa4b436 540w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/The-Bean-story-time-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=dfcad8bcfba91e03fe9c9e92e2c370bf 768w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/The-Bean-story-time-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=47c6036023122e72c85acabce5bb2af0 1024w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/The-Bean-story-time-2.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=a71069d4c856efd5c602cc8dd3da0b32 1080w)
"Our Songwriter Night is one of my favorite things that we do here," Kristy said. "Our goal is to continue to grow it because it's a great opportunity for people to see what we're doing and come try a new cocktail or wine while hanging out and listening to local talent. It's like our own Nashville night, right in Jackson."
With a recent return from The New York Coffee Festival, Kristy and her staff are trying their hand at some new techniques and additional flavors on their seaonsal coffee and cocktail menus.
![](https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/The-Bean-iced-coffee.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=88c1568cf5ef994e554e1b178dc141e3 320w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/The-Bean-iced-coffee.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=90fb60f405355b0a8a3e863ba8bc31f9 540w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/The-Bean-iced-coffee.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=eb11800726fcbdb951989cc404b8a329 768w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/The-Bean-iced-coffee.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=d0b707c2e8b7e360409748dea24c0d98 1024w, https://visit-jackson.imgix.net/images/The-Bean-iced-coffee.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=1e03d537acbe4eb07f63547159d8f1ab 1080w)
Whether supporting her staff or paving the way for more female entrepreneurs, Kristy notes that the people surrounding her keep her pushing forward."I feel very blessed to have been given the opportunity to do this and to be a woman in business," Kristy said.
"But as for blazing a trail or thinking about it from that standpoint, that doesn't occur to me. If you're going to create a brand, business, or anything, it's making sure you have a strong team to work alongside you and feel like they have ownership. I want everybody that works here to feel like this is their place to grow and thrive."
To keep up-to-date with The Bean's events and drink specials, visit their website and social media.
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Coffeehouse, Café, Community
2914 N. State St
Jackson, Mississippi 39216
(769) 572-5752
Website
The Bean2914 N. State St
Jackson, Mississippi 39216