Sometimes the best cup of coffee comes from the most unexpected of places. A Marion couple is preparing to bring superior java drinks to the Memphis area, in a location both surprising and sensible. Green House Coffee will be serving up globally-inspired coffee beverage outside the sanctuary of Cross Community Church later this year.
Dr. Juan Martinez and his wife, Sarah, are setting up shop at 924 Highway 77, Marion, Arkansas. Dr. Martinez generously made some time to speak with What Now Memphis about relocating to the area and setting up the coffee shop of their dreams. “I moved to Marion a year and a half ago because my wife and I got jobs in Memphis and she’s from Jonesboro.” he explains, adding that the location allows proximity to the city, with the calm of the suburbs. “We’re close to Memphis so we all have that big city vibe but at the same time we are further away from it, so we can have a calmer environment.”
The couple developed an affinity for cafes and coffee shops through their nomadic jobs. Martinez states that finding a favorite cup of joe was the one constant throughout their travels. “We’ve been traveling for 7 years, doing 3 month contracts in different cities. Everywhere we went, the one thing in common was coffee, and we always wanted our favorite coffee shops. We wanted to bring that to where we are now, since we’ve established a location where we’re going to be residing permanently.”
Green House Coffee will be a welcoming-and much needed-community spot. Martinez says: “We want to establish our roots but we’ve noticed that that mom and pop vibe we’ve found in other cities and other countries-those unique drinks and flavors are something we missed. The way we structured our coffee shop is we have a signature drink from everywhere we’ve been.”
While a church is a rather unconventional setting for a cafe, the location makes sense given Green House’s commitment to community and creating a warm and inclusive environment. Martinez explains that fate stepped in to help land the space. “There’s a pastor-we go to his church-and he said he would love it if we opened our coffee shop in his church. So we are going to lease a space from him and that’s where we’re going to open up our coffee shop to the public. It kind of just happened! And he has a youth pastor, John Philips, who works with him who roasts our coffee beans.”
Java fans are certain to embrace Green House Coffee and its superior product. Martinez explains that the shop will offer: “Quality drinks that are made fresh to order. John roasts our own beans and as soon as they’re able to be served, we serve them. It’s a sort of farm-to-table scenario, except instead of food its beans.”
Martinez and Sarah take the inspiration for their drinks from their travels. “Our signature drinks, they vary from all over the world.”, Martinez states. Future regulars can look forward to sipping selections like the Marion, Arkansas!, made with Crushed Oreo, Smores, White Chocolate, and Dark Chocolate, and the London, England, which includes Crushed Biscoff Cookie and Cookie Butter. Those not interested in specialty drinks can enjoy traditional favorite coffees, matcha, tea, and lemonade.
Martinez adds that Green House Coffee will offer a few more nutritious options. He states: “We’ll have protein lemonades made with this product we found-First Form- protein powders that infuse in lemonade. We’re offering healthier alternatives also. Protein coffees, and energy drinks made from scratch”
Martinez aims to have Green House Coffee open and ready for customers by the end of November. In the meantime, folks can check out what the brand has to offer at a mobile trailer that sets up at Marion Youth Sports Association events. Follow the cafe’s Facebook page for updates on pop-ups and progress on the shop.
With Green House Coffee Martinez and Sarah are offering locals a taste of their travels, an opportunity java fans are certain to embrace. Martinez sums it up succinctly but effectively, saying: “We’re trying to bring something from every location we’ve been to from all over the world to Marion.”
