Kim Conger hands an order to Rachel Richards on Dec. 15, the first day Firebean Espresso opened at its new location in Masury.
When Jeff Sandy moved back to Sharon after 40 years in Pittsburgh, he discovered Firebean Espresso.
“I found her coffee shop downtown and it was just a good vibe,” he said, referring to owner Kim Conger.
So, now that Firebean Espresso has moved to 850 S. Irvine Ave. in Masury, sharing a building with Penn-Ohio Lottery and Deli, how’s the vibe?
“I like her new setup here,” he said.
Sandy visited the shop on Dec. 15, the first day it opened at its new location. Luckily, he wasn’t the only regular customer who stopped by.
“I had such a good following that I didn’t think I was gonna lose anybody,” said Conger.
Conger and her family moved from Oregon, where there were drive-up coffee shops everywhere, to Hubbard about 20 years ago. Starbucks had not hit the area, yet, and Panera Bread was about the only place that offered anything other than standard coffee, she said.
“When we got here, there were no places for coffee,” she said.
Although Conger had no experience in a coffee shop, she was driven to open one here, deriving inspiration and strength from her Christian faith. She started slow, working in the cafe at her church, Victory Church in Coitsville, and then hitting the road to serve lattes and coffee at events.
In 2017, she opened the Sharon store. After eight years there, and tired of maintaining a larger space, she started looking for a smaller one and found her new location.
“I could just see myself being here,” she said.
The new location has a bar and tables for people who want to sit and chat or enjoy a pastry before they hit the road.
Conger said her preparation for each order, the syrups she offers and a “family secret syrup” she calls “gold sauce” sets her apart.
“I know that our coffee is very good,” she said, noting that Top Shelf Coffee Inc. of Warren supplies the roasted source material.
Conger offers dozens of varieties of lattes, breves, teas, Italian sodas, smoothies and fire shakes. Many of her offerings can be served hot, iced or blended.
Despite all that variety available, “I always get the same thing,” Sandy said. “I get a caramel kicker, hot caramel kicker.”
Devoted to supporting local, independent businesses when he can, Sandy pledged to remain loyal to Firebean Espresso.
“I try to get in several times a week,” he said.
But, if you’re new, like some of the folks who wandered over from Penn-Ohio, Conger will help you wade through all the offerings to find something she thinks you’ll like.
“As long as they like the syrups, they’ll love our coffee here,” she said.
Firebean Espresso is open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
