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Bean & Bloom: Columbia's First Cafe Merging Coffee & Cannabis

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  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Friday, December 26th 2025 at 12:06 GMT by Chattanooga Times Free Press

Coffee, Cafe, and Cannabis: How a South‑Carolina Startup is Blending Three Growing Industries

By a summarist – December 2025

On a bright afternoon in late December, the Times Free Press caught a glimpse of a new business model that is stirring up both coffee‑connoisseurs and cannabis enthusiasts in Columbia, South Carolina. The story, “Coffee, cafe and cannabis see the business,” chronicles the launch of Bean & Bloom, a boutique café that serves craft coffee and a carefully curated line of cannabis products ranging from flower to edibles. The piece weaves together the entrepreneur’s vision, the regulatory hurdles they navigated, the community’s mixed reception, and the broader economic implications for the state’s burgeoning cannabis industry.

A Bold Idea Born in a Brew

The heart of the article is the narrative of Maya Patel, a former barista turned cannabis entrepreneur. Patel’s dream emerged during her stint at a local specialty roastery, where she observed the rising popularity of “co‑branded” experiences—coffee houses that partner with wellness brands to offer complementary products. “I saw a gap,” Patel explains, “between the traditional coffee shop and the new cannabis market. People want to relax, taste something new, and do so in a relaxed, socially responsible environment.” With that in mind, she set out to create a space that would serve both caffeine and cannabis under one roof, but with a clear distinction: coffee on one side of the counter, cannabis on the other.

Legal Labyrinth and Local Ordinances

The Times Free Press article devotes a significant portion to the legal maze that Patel and her co‑founders had to navigate. South Carolina’s cannabis law is still evolving. While medical cannabis has been legal since 2015, the state does not yet have a fully approved retail licensing structure. Instead, businesses must apply for a “Specialty Cannabis Retailer” permit through the Department of Health, which has a rigorous application process and strict zoning requirements.

Patel’s team filed their first application in March 2025. They cited the city of Columbia’s recently updated zoning ordinance—linked in the article—to argue that Bean & Bloom would operate in a district historically used for mixed‑use commerce. The city’s zoning commission, however, raised concerns about “potential increased foot traffic, especially among minors,” prompting the company to propose a comprehensive safety plan: separate entrances, a dedicated adult screening area, and a mandatory age‑verification system that mirrors the state’s cannabis retail standards.

The article also references a recent state Senate hearing (linked to a public transcript) where the topic of cannabis retail regulation was debated. The hearing highlighted the need for “robust public health safeguards,” and the senators urged the department to streamline the licensing process without compromising safety. Patel’s narrative underscores how the regulatory climate directly shaped her strategy—particularly the decision to host an on‑site educational workshop on responsible cannabis consumption.

The Product Line and Café Experience

While the regulatory background is crucial, the Times Free Press piece paints a vivid picture of the actual product experience. The café’s menu is split into two distinct categories:

• Coffee Offerings: A rotating selection of single‑origin beans sourced from Latin America and Southeast Asia. The roaster, a local independent named Roots & Beans, emphasizes fair‑trade practices. Patrons can order a classic espresso, a cold brew, or one of the café’s specialty drinks, such as a “Citrus‑Herb Latte” that incorporates fresh rosemary and orange zest.

• Cannabis Products: An assortment of THC‑infused beverages, edible gummies, and a line of “micro‑dose” flower blends. Each product is accompanied by a detailed lab‑tested label that lists potency, THC/CBD ratio, and recommended dosage. The café’s “Cannabis Lounge” features a comfortable, dimly lit space with sound‑proofing to maintain privacy and a relaxed atmosphere. An in‑house “Cannabis Concierge” helps patrons choose the right product based on tolerance and desired effects.

Patel explains that the café’s design was intentionally “dual‑functional,” with a separate “coffee bar” and a “cannabis bar.” The décor—earthy tones, reclaimed wood, and subtle lighting—creates a seamless transition between the two spaces. Patrons can sample a single‑origin latte before making their cannabis selection, providing a balanced introduction to the experience.

Community Reception and Economic Outlook

The Times Free Press article includes direct quotes from local residents, cannabis advocates, and a handful of skeptics. While many applaud the innovation and potential job creation—Patel’s team expects to hire at least 12 full‑time staff, including a licensed cannabis pharmacist—the article also documents concerns about “normalizing drug use in a public space” and the possibility of increased traffic near residential neighborhoods.

City councilmember Linda Hartwell, featured in a sidebar, supports the café’s economic prospects but urges strict compliance with public‑health regulations. “We’re excited about the jobs and tourism,” she says, “but we must guard against the unintended social consequences.”

Patel counters by noting that her café adheres to all state and local rules: a separate adult‑only entrance, a visible security screen, and a robust education program that includes a mandatory cannabis safety briefing for first‑time visitors.

From an economic perspective, the article cites a recent study by the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce (linked in the piece) that projects the state’s cannabis industry could add up to $1.5 billion in tax revenue by 2030. By offering a hybrid coffee‑cannabis model, businesses like Bean & Bloom could capture both markets, potentially doubling the revenue stream per foot‑square.

Beyond the Café: A Model for Innovation

The Times Free Press article frames Bean & Bloom not merely as a local curiosity but as a prototype for a new wave of hybrid businesses that blend wellness, gastronomy, and responsible consumption. The piece references an interview with Dr. Samuel Ortega, a public‑health professor at the University of South Carolina, who argues that such venues could help destigmatize cannabis, educate consumers, and drive safer usage patterns. He cites similar models in Colorado and Oregon where cannabis‑friendly cafés have reduced the prevalence of unregulated or unsafe consumption.

Patel echoes this sentiment, emphasizing that “education is as important as the product.” The café’s menu board displays not only coffee and cannabis offerings but also a QR code linking to a short, 2‑minute video that explains dosage, set‑and‑setting, and how to recognize an over‑dose.

Final Thoughts

By blending two booming sectors—craft coffee and regulated cannabis—Bean & Bloom positions itself at the intersection of commerce, culture, and compliance. The Times Free Press article captures the optimism of entrepreneurs, the caution of regulators, and the curiosity of consumers. While the legal framework in South Carolina remains a patchwork of evolving statutes, the café’s story illustrates how innovation can thrive within those constraints, and how such hybrid businesses may soon become a staple of the state’s economic landscape.

In an era where consumers are increasingly looking for experiences that combine taste, wellness, and novelty, Bean & Bloom may well serve as a blueprint for the next generation of specialty cafés. The story invites readers to consider: can coffee and cannabis coexist peacefully in one space, and what does that mean for the future of both industries? The Times Free Press leaves the question open, hinting that the answer lies in continued dialogue, regulation, and a willingness to experiment.