By: Jessie Monsivais Photos by: Rachel Benavides
Port Aransas is one of the most beloved spots in South Texas.brWith 18 miles of coastal beauty, the small beach town hasbrplenty of fun and engaging things to offer for tourists and locals alike. Adding to the richness of the Texas gem is Barefoot Beans,bra new local tropical java spot.
Owner Jace Thompson grew up working summer jobs in Port Aransas,brand moved there from Portland, Texas, after high school. Jace sharesbrthe story of finding the inspiration to open up Port Aransas’ secondbrcoffee shop.br
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“I’ve always loved coffee, but never really thought of selling it,” he says.br“During a summer trip to Costa Rica, I checked out a couple of coffeebrfarms. One of the interesting things I learned is the detail that goesbrinto planting and caring for the crops. The process is very labor-intensive and mostly done by hand, which I appreciate. What I discoveredbris that the less handled a bean is, the better the quality. Needless to say,brafter my visit to Costa Rica, I was inspired.”br
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Jace returned home on a wave of inspiration, connecting with friendsbrand family to discuss ideas about opening a shop.br
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“I realized that although Port Aransas is one of the busiest places in thebrsummer, it only had one coffee shop,” says Jace. “I went back and forthbrwith different ideas – should I open a coffee shop on wheels or find anbrexisting location? The ideas are the easy part, but putting them intobraction is where the real work started.”br
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Ultimately, Jace decided to find an existing location in Port Aransas.brDream became reality when he met with owner of Port A Beer Hut,brTim Everitt.br
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“Tim offered me an opportunity I could not turn down,” Jace saysbrexcitedly. “He was in the process of building Port A Beer Hut, a drive-brthru and bar with a super-chill beachfront island feel. Lo and behold, Ibrfound my spot to start Barefoot Beans.”br
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Barefoot Beans is the only spot in Port A offering pour-over, nitro tea,brand coffee. Sourced with locally roasted beans from Bloom City CoffeebrCo., the Almond Joy is a mocha and coconut iced coffee mixed withbrhalf and half; or try the Nutella with hazelnut and mocha. BarefootbrBeans also serves a mixed berry tea from Egypt with added lavender,brand coconut extract served on Nitro tap.br
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The most popular choice at Barefoot is their signature upside-downbrcaramel macchiato and mocha. Served in a small glass, this energeticbrbeverage is layered backward with flavored syrup at the bottom, thenbrfrothed milk, and topped with a shot of hand-pressed espresso.br
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Its laid-back and relaxing atmosphere has a tropical beach vibe, andbrsince it’s joined with Port A Beer Hut, Jace says, “Barefoot Beans is thebronly coffee shop in Port A where you can get two kinds of a buzz!”
Contact
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905 HWY 361 | 361.816.6051 | barefootbeans.com
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