BLUEFIELD, VA – AUGUST 16, 2024 – For the owners of The Roasted Bean of Virginia, LLC, the coffee shop business Larry and Donna Kinzer opened in downtown Bluefield, VA, is about more than just providing a welcoming environment and cultivating coffee enthusiasts of all ages. Every sip, they said, tells a unique story and the high-quality products and caring customer service they provide are hallmarks of the new business as they seek to draw people to downtown Bluefield to share in a deep feeling of community.
The Roasted Bean of Virginia, LLC was a recent recipient of a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Seed Capital Matching Grant. Seed capital grants are funded from regional funds received by VCEDA which are paid by the natural gas industry.
“The Roasted Bean is another example of creative tourism as the business appeals to both locals and tourists alike,” said Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director/general counsel. “The business projects six full-time and six part-time employees within five years.”
“Through warm hospitality and a welcoming ambience, we are creating a haven where every sip tells a unique story,” Larry Kinzer noted in the application for funding. “Our vision is to foster connection that allow our patrons to share this experience with locals and visitors alike, to nurture creativity though supporting local artisans and to provide a legacy of love, care and the pursuit of a truly great cup of coffee.”
Leandra Hicks, Larry Kinzer’s granddaughter, serves as general manager of the business which first opened its doors in July 2023. The business currently has one full-time employee and nine part-time employees.
The Kinzers noted the coffee industry is experiencing significant growth driven by the increasing demand for specialty coffee and “the rise of the coffee culture.” The Roasted Bean serves Bluefield University college students, those working in and around downtown, students on their way to school and those traveling to Bluefield for events.
Coffees available at the shop include single-origin brews, classic espresso-based drinks and innovative specialty beverages, as well as teas and smoothies. Hot and cold brews are available. Gourmet pastries cupcakes, brownies, cookies, cinnamon buns, homemade desserts and donuts, including a bacon and two-cheese donut breakfast specialty item, also complement the coffee options at the shop. Biscuit, bagel, croissant and English muffin sandwiches, classic breakfast platters, gravy and biscuits make up the breakfast menu. Chicken and tuna salad, club sandwiches, fresh-made hamburgers and more are on the lunch menu. The chicken and tuna salads are made fresh every day and the Roasted Bean makes its own hamburger and hot dog buns.
“The seed capital grant gave us a real leg up,” Hicks said. “It’s not just a coffee shop to us, it’s our family legacy.”
The Kinzers worked with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Mountain Empire Community College (MECC) in developing their application to VCEDA and received a letter of support from the Tazewell County Industrial Development Authority.
“The Kinzers’ dedication to the community shines through the exceptional quality and service at The Roasted Bean,” said Becki O’Quinn-Purdie, SBDC director at MECC. “The VCEDA Seed Capital funds will enable them to highlight the business’s menu, specials and events, as well as local town happenings. The SBDC enjoyed collaborating with the Kinzers through the VCEDA Seed Capital process and witnessing the growth of the business.”
The Roasted Bean is open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 103A Spring Street, Bluefield, VA and may be found on Facebook, through its website at www.roastedbeanco.com, or may be reached by calling 276-322-7200.
About Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority and Southwest Virginia’s e-Region: The Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1988 to enhance and diversify the region’s economy and help create jobs, markets Southwest Virginia’s e-Region and its focus on electronic information technology, energy, education, emerging technologies, and entrepreneurship. VCEDA is a unique economic development organization that manages funds for economic development projects from a percentage of the coal and natural gas severance taxes paid by coal and natural gas companies that operate in the region. Located in southwestern Virginia, the region includes Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, and Wise counties and the City of Norton. www.vceda.us or www.e-Region.org.
About the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority Seed Capital Matching Grant Fund: VCEDA region for-profit businesses, within qualifying business categories, one year and under with less than 10 full-time employees are eligible to apply for dollar-for-dollar matching grants up to $10,000 from the VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Fund. Applicants work with the Small Business Development Centers at Mountain Empire and Southwest Virginia community colleges to prepare the applications to VCEDA that include detailed business and financial plans. Businesses must be located in or plan to operate in the VCEDA region in southwestern Virginia that includes Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, and Wise counties and the City of Norton.