Greenville County welcomes two new coffee shops

Two new coffee shops have opened in Greenville County — each bringing a distinct concept to market.

The faith-based owners of Crown + Bloom in Simpsonville have created a welcoming space designed to foster a sense of community, while the team behind Phin + in Mauldin is introducing a culturally rooted experience centered on traditional Vietnamese brewing methods and hospitality.

Sharing a culture

Those who pass by Phin +, located at 1140 E. Butler Road in a small strip mall in Greenville might assume that Phin is the name of the owners. That assumption would be incorrect. Owners Ashley Tran and Vinh Truong explain that Phin refers to a tool used in Vietnamese coffee making.

A phin is a small, gravity-fed metal filter — a self-contained drip system used to make Vietnamese coffee, somewhat akin to a French press. “Many of our influences come the French,” said Truong.

The 1,600-square-foot shop, which seats about 50, features light blue walls evocative of clouds, ample pendant lighting, and enough space to ensure customers don’t feel cramped.

The couple, who celebrated a soft opening on March 16, said that it’s been a dream for them. “We want to bring the culture here and are partnering with a roaster in my hometown,” said Truong.

Cà phê phin, Vietnam’s traditional coffee made with Robusta beans, is bolder and stronger than typical American coffee, though its bitterness is balanced with sweetened condensed milk. “It’s creamier. We want you to taste all the flavors,” said Tran.

That’s not to say that syrups aren’t available. “We do offer them, but we try to control the level of sweetness by making them in-house,” Tran said.

Food offerings include cream puffs, cheese cake, tiramisu, strawberry and mango mousse, to name a few.

The couple, who employ a staff of four, said they chose Mauldin for its growth potential. “Greenville has everything. Mauldin is up-and-coming and we have a parking advantage,” said Tran.

Coffee and love

Crown + Bloom Coffee Co., located at 102 Academy St., is run by two couples: Brantley and Shirley Bell and Corey and Baylee Simpson. The shop, housed in the former Simpsonville library, began as a pop-up in a 1967 camper.

“It needed a ton of work, so with the help of Brantley’s parents, we gutted it and opened 60 days later,” Baylee said.

The group traveled to places like Thrasher’s Farm but soon realized that the heat was too oppressive. “By this time, we had quite a following and I really wanted air conditioning,” Baylee said with a laugh.

Soon the couples were scouting for a brick and mortar and landed upon just the right spot in the former library. “We saw the potential, and since we are a faith-forward company, we prayed over the building and tithed a month’s rent to a local ministry,” Brantley said, adding that the city council unanimously approved the purchase within 11 days.

The shop’s calming biophilic design — featuring shades of green — is intended to offer a respite. “We play worship music and give our baristas the freedom to pray with guests as they feel led,” he said.

Another distinguishing feature is the shop’s organic gluten-free offerings. “We were led to do that when Baylee was navigating health issues. When her daughter was born, she couldn’t process breast milk and we realized there was a need,” Brantley said.

“We connected with a baker who has been celiac for 20 years, and her favorite foods were sweets. She makes cookies and a cinnamon roll that is to die for,” said Brantley, noting there are few coffee houses that offer organic options.

Coffee is also served in compostable K-pods for those who are concerned about microplastics. The owners work with organic-certified farmers through a Midlothian, Va.-based company called Guide Roasting, which pays its farmers to hold the rather costly certifications. They roast a bean especially for Crown + Bloom called “The Crown Jewel.”

For parents, Crown + Bloom includes a dedicated playroom. “As a mother with a five-year-old, I began thinking about what I’d want in a coffee shop,” Baylee said.

Tranquility soothes the soul

Ultimately both shops offer more than coffee—they provide a place to slow down.

At Phin+, it’s about indulging in a beverage that takes time to brew, while appreciating another culture. For Crown+Bloom it’s about creating an oasis for comfort and connection.

“Love is what draws people to Christ and we want people to know that they are loved. Every cup has a personalized message on it that is meant to uplift that person. Sometimes that’s all we need,” Baylee said.