UPDATED Oct. 7
When John Dixson founded Johnny Beans 20 years ago, he said he never expected it would grow from a traveling kiosk into a brick-and-mortar coffee bar that opened in July 2016.
But after his kiosk grew into a catering company and his wife, Lauren, joined the business, the couple watched their business grow to become so popular that a shop became inevitable.“One year we were about to sell,” Lauren said. “Instead we hired a business coach to chat with us about why we’re successful despite ourselves.”
Lauren and John said they learned they were successful because they had found their calling in life.
“John’s calling in life is hospitality, and mine is anticipating the needs of others,” Lauren said. “Together that was a really great combination.”
This realization led to the opening of their Wells Branch coffee shop, which the couple said serves as an extension of their catering business’s mission to build relationships with locals one cup at a time.
Johnny Beans builds those relationships on multiple levels. On some afternoons a barista will pass out roses to customers. And although the store has a drive-thru, Lauren said customers are instructed to order at the window to ensure they get a personal experience. The store also hosts events in coordination with organizations in the Wells Branch area.
In addition to its welcoming atmosphere, the shop also offers authentic Italian-style coffee. John worked for an Italian espresso machine company in the ’80s and remains loyal to the style.
“John was doing coffee before coffee was cool,” Lauren said.
The shop even serves John’s famous Locomotion drink that earned him first place at the 1997 U.S. Barista World Series. Lauren said all of these variables come together to make Johnny Beans the “grown-up version” of coffee shops.
“We’re the coffee bar that got married, had kids and moved to the suburbs, Lauren said.
Johnny Beans
13717 Burnet Road, Ste. 250, Austin
512-632-7845
www.johnnybeans.com
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.-3 p.m., closed Sun.
Editor's note: This post has been updated to correct the spelling of the Dixsons' last name.
