Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Frecon’s Hard Bean Cafe offers a fresh alternative to the coffee shop norm

BOYERTOWN — When you strive to make your products the best that they can be, it helps to have the freshest ingredients possible. For Frecon’s Hard Bean Café, using locally grown ingredients from Frecon Farms has created a bona fide recipe for success.

“We don’t cut costs to make a great drink,” said Hank Frecon, who has owned the business since August 2009. Fine distinctions, such as avoiding powder mixes and making their own whipped cream, separate the Hard Bean from the typical coffee shop.

Frecon, who helps run the family-owned Frecon Farms, bases the shop’s use of fresh products on the Frecon Farms model. He described the farm’s whole foods model as one where certain fats and sugars are done right and not processed.

Included on the drink menu is a full lineup of fresh-brewed coffee, espresso, cappuccino, lattes and other specialty drinks, including all-natural smoothies made with Frecon Farms fruit. Fresh wraps, breakfast sandwiches, cookies, cakes and pies round out the food assortment, and Frecon hopes to develop the full-service lunch menu.

Complementing the wide array of food and drink options, the Hard Bean offers weekly live entertainment, utilizing their recently upgraded stage and sound system to present the best in local music.

“We want to get in people’s Friday and Saturday night plans,” said Frecon.
Featuring live music every Friday and Saturday night from 8 to 11 p.m., The Hard Bean showcases artists from a number of genres, including singer/songwriter, bluegrass, country and jazz. Open Mic nights are held every second and fourth Thursday of the month at 7 p.m.

In addition to giving teens and families a place to go, the Hard Bean works to create a professional environment for their musicians.

“We built a new stage with new lighting and sound infrastructure. Artists just have to show up. (We’re) giving them a venue to feel like a true artist,” Frecon said.

For Frecon’s Hard Bean, creating the hometown feeling of friendliness comes natural to them. Frecon summed up the mission of the store, which is to “provide a pleasant atmosphere for the community to enjoy specialty drinks and entertainment.”

As the Mercury Muncher enjoyed a wrap and a coffee on the front porch, it couldn’t help but agree.

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