I've been spread a little thin lately with a new venture. Right after Thanksgiving my husband opened a coffee shop in downtown Charleston called, Hope and Union. It's been really amazing...I'm so proud of the coffee and the space and really excited to be learning a new craft! All of the coffee comes from Intelligentsia and in addition to be delicious is also socially conscious. All of their coffee is direct trade, meaning they work closely with the farmers in Latin America, South America, and South East Asia. Unlike many coffee roasters who claim to work with their producers, Intelligentsia spends a lot of time with the farms/farmers, not just exporters. There seems to be quite a few similarities between Proud Mary's goals and those in the direct trade coffee business. It's wonderful to share the flavors, colors, and textures from the far corners of the globe.