Cool Beans

Neen’s Beans is perking up Citadel Mall with fresh brewed coffee and espresso, specialty coffee drinks, freshly made breakfast sandwiches, and a growing bounty of baked goods from local bakeries. While enjoying their drinks and treats, customers can use free wi-fi.
Owner Jeanine Hounam and her husband, who also owns West Ashley’s J.N. Electric, relocated from Davison, Mich. 17 years ago. After working in interior design for 15 years, Hounam yearned for a change of pace. Luckily, she already had the ideal mentor close by. Her closest friend is Suzie Allen, the creator and CEO of the local soup chain Ladles, which also started in West Ashley. Allen provided both insight and contacts for her friend’s first foray into the food business.
Hounam also credits her coffee supplier, Charleston Coffee Exchange in West Ashley, with getting her barista skills up to speed “I went in daily for training, and we did some on the job drink-making. After just a little practice, making cappuccinos and lattes was like second nature,” says Hounam.
Neen’s Beans opened in the former Wholly Cow space this spring. It’s located in the main hall across from the Belk wing, and just around the corner from the Food Court. Revamping the space and installing drip coffee, tea, and espresso machines took Hounam just one month.
“The name came from a childhood nickname, ‘Neen.’ I played with different spellings, and asked family and friends for their thoughts. This name, ‘Neen’s Beans’, had the best ring to it,” says Hounam.
Coffees come in three sizes: small (12 ounces), medium (16 ounces), and large (20 ounces). Drip coffee is served hot or iced. Specialty coffee drinks include latte, cappuccino, the red eye (a shot of espresso with brewed coffee), Americano (espresso shots with hot water), chai tea latte, and a caramel macchiato.
“The caramel macchiato is the most popular. It has a cappuccino base; the foam supports the caramel on top, and we pour the shots through it. Macchiatos are delicious hot or cold,” says Hounam.
There are two house special lattes — the cinnamon vanilla and the honey vanilla. There is also a sugar-free Irish cream coffee. Additionally, Neen’s offers an assortment of Monin syrups a customer can request to personalize his or her drink’s flavor. Non-coffee drink options include iced tea, bottled water, milk, juice, and assorted bottled drinks. There are also two sugar-free cold drinks available — a lemonade and a raspberry ice. Other warm drinks, perfect for cool and rainy days, include spiced cider, hot tea, or hot chocolate.
Breakfast options include cheese and fruit Danishes; bagel options are plain, whole wheat, and sesame varieties. There are oatmeal breakfast bars, chocolate and fruit muffins, English muffins, and croissants. Customers can also build their own breakfast sandwich by choosing a bread: a bagel, croissant, or English muffin, then its contents: options include egg, cheese, ham, bacon and sausage. Citadell Mall employees and military members get a 10 percent discount, and Neen’s participates in many mall promotions throughout the year.
Desserts include cupcakes, cheesecake, carrot cake, brownies, lemon squares, cinnamon rolls, and key lime pie. Current specials like triple berry tarts and Italian berry creamcake are provided by Bear E. Patch in West Ashley.
Hounam looks forward to featuring baked goods and desserts that reflect the current season. Berries and peaches are perfect for spring and summer, she says. By the fall, she wants to carry items featuring apples and pumpkin and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. By winter, peppermint, gingerbread, and other wintry-themed baked goods would be added to that lineup. “I am a coffee person, but tea is getting more popular, so I will be expanding on our tea selection,” says Hounam. “I am also going to feature fruit smoothies in the summer. I am going to try to incorporate protein shakes for the Planet Fitness clients, too.”
Neen’s Beans  is located in the Citadel Mall. For more information visit  www.neensbeans.com.