Tuesday, July 13, 2021

Brightening Your Day at The Bean Parlor

The tempting smell of freshly-baked pastries and coffee wafts through the air.  Welcome to The Bean Parlor, Gluckstadt's first and only coffee shop. 

Although Jasmine Calvert opened The Bean Parlor last week, her love of all things coffee began as a little girl. "When I was five and had a loose tooth, my mom would give me a hot chocolate and biscotti to help get it out.  I remember when I was 13 years old and had a bad day at school, my mom would take me to go get a frozen mocha. That always cheered me up. When I got older, I wanted to do that for people.  Now I want to make your frozen mocha to make you feel better for whatever is going on, if that makes sense" said Jasmine.

Jasmine started her barista career at Joe Muggs while she was still a student at St. Jo.  She graduated from Belhaven in Dance but coffee was always her first love.  She said "I love theatre but it was always more of a hobby.  I always loved coffee, I've always loved the atmosphere that coffee can provide, how it brings people together. I really just enjoy giving somebody a good day." 

She worked for seven years at Cups, honing her craft under the tutelage of franchisee Jeannie Alby as so many baristas have done.  However, opening her own coffee shop was in her blood. Thus she eventually spread her wings and left the Cups nest.

Scratching and scrambling, she opened The Bean Parlor in the Army Corps of Engineers building in Vicksburg. It was only 200 square feet but it was hers.  Determined to succeed, she rented kitchen time from Fitchef so she could bake pastries for the week.  However, the pandemic struck and the Corps closed the first incarnation of The Bean Parlor. 

Beaten but not beaten down, Jasmine got off the ground and opened a coffee delivery service during the shutdown.  Advertising on social media, she delivered coffee and pastries from Vicksburg to Jackson to Flora as the business flourished. "People wanted comfort food during the shutdowns", said Jasmine. However, the challenge turned out to be a blessing as it allowed her to fine-tune her baking skills and create a true pastry menu. 

Sales slowed as restaurants reopened but it allowed her to focus on finding a more permanent home for The Bean Parlor. She said she wanted to open in a city that was "up and coming, like Madison twenty years ago."  After looking at several cities, she chose to settle in Gluckstadt.

Jasmine said she picked the location because it is near the heart of Gluckstadt.  Indeed, several Big 10 Tire customers have passed through her doors as the thought of passing the time in a cozy coffee shop appealed more than did being stuck in waiting room hell across the street.  Reception to the Bean Parlor's opening has been strong. Jasmine said "People are excited to have a coffee shop.  Pastries have sold out several days in a row." 

The Bean Parlor serves a wide variety of coffees and pastries.  Flat-bread sammiches and quiches are served all day as well although the selection changes each week.  She plans to add more food items as demand improves.  Jasmine makes all pastries from scratch.    The menu is posted online.  Customers can order in advance at Thebeanparlor.net.

 


What you need to know

Hours of Operation: Open Monday through Friday (6 AM-7 PM) and Saturday (7-5)

Website: Thebeanparlor.net

Lunch: Yes.

Address: 111 Dees Drive, Gluckstadt.  Across the street from Big 10 Tire and The Shooting Range by Jimmy Primos. 

Curbside service: Yes

Order online: Yes. Use website.  

Public wifi: Yes. Password protected.  No mooching.   

Rewards: Free coffee every ten drinks.  No punch card needed.

 



16 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm not a coffee drinker, but I hope she does well. Nice info Kingfish.

Anonymous said...

I'll lift a cup to that pretty young lady.

Anonymous said...

Congrats and best of luck, young lady.
If I am ever in that area, I will make a note to give her some business.

Anonymous said...

may have been a blessing that moved her from Vicksburg to Gluckstadt

Anonymous said...

If you want to help her out in this internet age, go on FB and hit Like for The Bean Parlor. That should help with her internet traffic. Let's see if we can get her to a thousand or two by the end of the day! Good to see someone following a dream and working hard.

Anonymous said...

She owes you a free cup of Joe for this advertising.

Glad to know about it, ive already cut and paste this to share

Anonymous said...

Perfect. Right across the street from The Range by Jimmy Primos.

Anonymous said...

Looks great! Will check it out

Anonymous said...

Bless her heart, she better love it... 6A to 7P?

Anonymous said...

Good luck. Every four wheeler in that area is either headed to Ridgeland for tennis or headed home to the burbs of The Gluckstadt. Hope some will detour and stop for a mocha to go. Gotta get on home with the take-out. Them Gluckstadt $4000 stoves ain't never been turnt on.

Anonymous said...

Helps that it's by Starke Fitness. Looks like I can get a pre-worky now.

Anonymous said...

Went through there yesterday to check out a new local business. She is a delight, so dedicated to her craft and a great conversationalist. The pastries were phenomenal and make Starbucks microwave food look like mincemeat. Hoping for great success in her business!

Kingfish said...

She even makes her butter from scratch.

Anonymous said...

Now lets hop she does not get ruined again when tater tot shuts down all businesses again.

Anonymous said...

Made a visit today and picked up some of the "sweets" she makes from scratch. Also had a panini while I was there. Delicious !

Anonymous said...

Why would Tater shut down businesses. Madison is the most vaccinated in the state.

It is also the most educated. Must be a correlation there.


Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.