Cool Beanz Is Cool Beans!
The next stop on our Java Journey is a very cool little coffee shop called Cool Beanz.
“Many changes have been made since our opening in August of 2009,” says owner operator Annette of her shop located in the hilltop area of Rock Island on the corner of 14th Avenue and 30th Street.
She goes on to tell me Cool Beanz actually got its name from her father.
“Back in the seventies the word cool beans was a very popular slang expression not unlike far out groovy,” she said. “That’s a perfect name for a coffee shop. It represents the laid-back atmosphere I wanted to create.”
When asked about any specialties or frequently requested coffees, Annette informed me that after graduating from Augustana, she invented a few of her coffees named after college idioms.
For example the” all-nighter” (we remember those days up all night cramming for exams drinking down the caffeine), which is a vanilla latte with 4 shots of expresso.
Geo101 mocha= Ghirardelli white chocolate with Rocky Mountain hazelnut flavoring ,sounds scrumptious!!
They also feature seasonal yums like Irish Cream sure and begorrah Pumpkin spice happy holidays.
Cool Beanz also serves alcohol. Mondays are mimosa specials” of course there’s no time too early for a mimosa” Annette and I smile. Sangria’s are very popular on a hot summer morning. Irish coffee is perfect anytime.
Cool Beanz is open 7 to 10 Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekends
The coffee shop is a mere two blocks from Augustana College yet the college crowd is a mere fraction of their clientele. They offer a variety of ages to use the cafe.
At any time or day you can look around and see students studying over a cappuccino, young families having a hot chocolate. older couples sipping tea by the Cozy fireplace and even business people holding a meeting over a latte.
Cool beans has a stage for live entertainment of various genres. Tuesdays are open mic nights. Anyone can come in read poetry, sing, do comedy. Musicians of all ages have performed there.
Another great feature of cool Beanz every month they hold wine ,cheese, Beer and chocolate tasting events — well those are four of this reporter’s favorite things so count me in!
Annette is the owner operator with 10 to 12 Baristas working for her. They’re friendly, enthusiastic people happy to make you a delicious latte, cappuccino, iced coffee and will ask you how your day is going, and be glad to see you.
I asked her that if she has any plans of expanding the café, she said no plans on expanding yet always working on making the hilltop Cool Beanz better and better.
I asked her of any final thoughts or quotes for Cool Beanz and she said “One of the things that has been A+ it’s our ever-improving menu breakfast lunch and some dinner.”
Well now if you want a great latte, fresh sandwich ,or a nice cold mimosa and be entertained or just catch up with friends over a nice hot cup of coffee, Cool Beanz is a great choice. Indoor or outdoor seating.
Stop and have a cup of coffee say hi to Annette or Brennan or one of the many Baristas looking forward to serving you.
This reporter gives Cool Beanz four big stars.
