Parker!

On June 1, Parker became Grassroots wholesale manager. Here are some fun facts I (Megan) am going to share with you before we get to what Parker has to say:

Fun Fact #1 : Parker & Spencer grew up together in Tifton… and were in the same boy-scout troup. Now isn’t that just precious?

Fun Fact #2 : Parker just moved back to South Georgia after living in Veil, CO working on the slopes. Talk about extreme weather change.

Fun Fact #3 : Spencer & Parker lived together in college. Here’s a fun photo for your viewing pleasure:

Parker, our friend Christie, me & Spencer in our glory days.

Fun Fact # 4 : Parker has a business degree from UGA.

Fun Fact # 5: Parker was in our wedding in 2008. Here’s another fun photo for you:

Aint it precious? Don't let Parker's beard scare you.

Ok enough of that. On to Parker’s answers! Enjoy!

Thomasville is lucky enough to be called your home…how did you get here?

I got to Thomasville by following the smell of delicious Grassroots Coffee.

Tell us about your name.  Does it have any significance?

Parker is an old family (last) name.

You’ve been given access to a time machine.  Where would you travel and what Grassroots drink would you take for the warp?

The signing of the Declaration of Independence. Cup of Tanzanian PeaBerry

What thought or message would you want to put in a fortune cookie?

Relax.

What is your favorite Grassroots drink?

Espresso. Because I think its our signature flavor.

If you had to describe yourself using 3 words, they would be…

Excited. Funny. Logical.

Paper or Plastic?

Reusable

Name 3 things that are always in your purse or pocket?

Pen, Eagle Scout Card, Coffee Bean

Everyone has pet peeves – name one of yours

Loud eaters.

Besides hanging out at Grassroots, what else do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Disc Golf, Trout Fishing, reading, listening to vinyl

If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only eat 1 thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Bacon

What do you want to be when you grow up?

A coffee wholesaler.

Recently, we were asked to do coffee service at a wedding at a plantation between Thomasville and Tallahassee. We’ve done a few before, but this was the largest wedding we’ve catered. It was a morning wedding, and they were serving brunch, so we were the only drinks! I’m telling you, the line for coffee and smoothies was longer than the food line. Over 130 smoothies were made in an hour and a half. Needless to say it was a hit! Before the madness hit, we snapped a couple of photos so you could see our sweet set up:

coffee is for lovers

And here's the sweet menu

Looks pretty awesome, huh? Like we said, coffee is for lovers!

So, some fun and exciting things are coming to Grassroots in the near future! You may have already noticed the back room changing up a bit. New table, shiny new tools, racks going up….well, that is where our brand spankin’ new wholesale company is going to operate out of!

Check out our shiny new toys.

We have hired a wholesale manager, Parker Browne (more about him to come) who will be spreading the Grassroots love to local groceries, markets, and other independent coffee shops who do not roast their own coffee. We are super excited to have him join our team and we can’t wait to get started.

P.S. We are also launching a new website which will include (drum roll please) a coffee club AND online store! Send some to your mom on mothers day, or your grammie for her birthday. The options are endless! Watch our facebook for details on when we will be launching our new site!

FAQ’s

Q: Will I still be able to come in the back door?

A: Yes, absolutely. There will probably be a little more activity back there from now on, but don’t be alarmed. We love our back door customers!

Q: Is the big table moving?

A: Yes, the big table will have to move to the front. Don’t worry you can still meet your friends, co-workers, and family around the big table. It will just be in a different location

Q: Do I have to buy coffee by the pound from the back now?

A: No, nothing will change about grassroots. You will still buy your coffee from the front of the store like usual!

Q: What do I do if I know of a grocery, market, or coffee shop in need of some delicious grassroots coffee?

A: Tell them about grassroots and tell us and we’ll send them samples! We’re all about spreading the love!

Not only can you drink fresh and drink local at Grassroots, now you can eat fresh and eat local with us!  Our menu has officially expanded to hand crafted sandwiches.  Starting on Friday, we will serve six different lunch options.  Check out our choices!

The Chicken Bacon Wrap. - $7.95 w/ side
A grilled chicken breast, Thompson Farms’ (Dixie, GA) Smoked Pepper Bacon, lettuce, tomato, red onion, sprouts, wrapped in a Tomato Basil wrap with Greek Tzatziki sauce and blue cheese.  *sounds like a mouthful…it is, but it is a delicious mouthful.

The B.L.T. – $4.95 w/ side
The B.L.T. you’re used to, but with Thompson Farms’ (Dixie, GA) Smoked Pepper Bacon, spicy mustard, mayo, served on fresh baked ciabatta bread.

The Club. – $6.95 w/ side
The B.L.T., plus pieces of thin sliced turkey, red onions, sprouts, and a thick slice of Sweet Grass Dairy (Thomasville, GA) Tomme. Served on fresh baked ciabatta bread.

The Chicken Salad Sandwich. – $5.95 w/ side
The delicious Lemon Almond Chicken Salad (used previously in our Chicken Salad Sandwich) but, we’ve added lettuce and tomato for flavorful goodness. Served on fresh baked ciabatta bread.

The Tuna Salad Sandwich. – $5.95 w/ side
A great Tuna Salad, with lettuce and tomato. Served on fresh baked ciabatta bread.

The Veggie. – $5.95 w/ side
For all the veg-heads, a taste tested and verified, vegetarian option.  It’s a mouth full, so listen up …hummus on the topside, avocado spread on the bottom, in-between, tomato, lettuce, sprouts, sliced cucumbers, carrot bits, all drizzled with a little balsamic vinaigrette. Served on fresh baked ciabatta bread.

With each lunch choice you can pick a side, which includes:

baked potato salad, bowtie pasta salad, banana, fruit salad, bag of chips, (or substitute your side for a cookie for $1.00).

Come eat with us!

123 Broad street, Thomasville, Georgia.  229.226.3388.

Martha

Thomasville is lucky enough to be called your home…how did you get here?

My sister, brother and their families moved here.  I had visited many times.  After my first year teaching in Tennessee I came down for the summer and stayed.

Tell us about your name.  Does it have any significance? 

My middle name is Kirk, which was my Grandfather’s name.  Martha is just a good bible name.  I really don’t know how my parents picked it – I guess they just liked it.

You’ve been given access to a time machine.  Where would you travel and what Grassroots drink would you take for the warp?

The Welch Revival of 1904.  Con panna

What thought or message would you want to put in a fortune cookie?

Jeremiah 29:11

What is your favorite Grassroots drink to make and why?

Smoothies – they are quick and easy

If you had to describe yourself using 3 works, they would be…

Full Of Gratitude!

Paper or Plastic?

Paper.  However; I now use the cloth bags they sell for groceries.

Tell us something funny and / or interesting that happened during a shift at Grassroots

Me coming to work!

Everyone has pet peeves – name one of yours

Someone creeping in the passenger lane and they won’t move over

If you could trade places, for the day, with another barista in the coffee shop, who would it be?  Why?

Emily, because she rarely messes up.  However, I haven’t worked a lot with everyone.

Besides hanging out at Grassroots, what else to you enjoy doing in your free time?

Reading, working in the yard, kayaking, riding a bike – most things I can do outside.

If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only eat 1 thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Chicken Bella from Vonah’s

What animal best describes you?

Monkey – you might want to ask my husband – he may have a better read on it

What do you want to be when you grow up?

More like Jesus!

Emily Bell

Thomasville is lucky enough to be called your home…how did you get here?

I’m originally from California and spent a year serving with Americorps on a volunteer disaster relief team based in Mobile, Alabama.  I fell in love with the South and decided to make it my permanent home.

Tell us about your name.  Does it have any significance?

It’s Emily.  No significance that I know of.  Parents just liked the name.  My middle name, Nicole,  was chosen by my half brother and was the name of a girl he had a crush on at the time.

You’ve been given access to a time machine.  Where would you travel and what Grassroots drink would you take for the warp?

I think I’d go to Switzerland in the early 1800′s and meet my relatives.  I would bring a nice cup of Tanzania PB.

What thought or message would you want to put in a fortune cookie?

Keep positive thoughts

What is your favorite Grassroots drink to make and why?

It’s gotta be the iced chai latte.  It’s simple to make and delicious.

If you had to describe yourself using three words, they would be…

Sincere, very funny

Paper or plastic?

Plastic – I reuse them

Name 3 things that are always in your purse or pocket?

Phone, debit card, change

Tell us something funny and / or interesting that happened during a shift at Grassroots?

One morning I accidentally poured steamed milk on Alexis’ head.  That was pretty interesting.

Everyone has pet peeves – name one of yours

When my dog rolls in something stinky

If you could trade places, for the day, with another barista in the coffee shop, who would it be?  Why?

I would change places with Martha.  She is always upbeat and carefree and she drives a BMW.

Besides hanging out at Grassroots, what else do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Homework.  Well, I don’t really enjoy that.  I like to fish and garden and hang out with friends.

If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only eat 1 thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Rigatoni al Fuzio – a pasta dish from one of my favorite restaurants out west named Fuzio.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Some sort of nurse

Dustin

Thomasville is lucky enough to be called your home…how did you get here?

The sea was angry that day in the winter of 1986. The year was new and fresh, as the air during the winter months of South GA. Spring was months off and the cold was just setting in. The Maeno Family had recently celebrated Christmas and New Year. The 16th day of January, on the fourteenth hour, a pudgy bundle of flesh was born in Valdosta, an hour away from the family farm in Barwick. Almost ten pounds and with large feet, I was out of the womb and sticky. Dustin Taro Maeno has always lived near the Barwick/Thomasville area. My dad, Hiroshi, moved to the States in his twenties and partied his way down to South GA. He met my mom, Kay, at college and the rest is, as they say, “history.” We are the only part of my Dad’s family in the States.  My mother’s family lives mostly within ten miles of our homestead in the 735 (Barwick).

Tell us about your name.  Does it have any significance?

Dustin Taro Maeno. Maeno is an old Japanese name. I have researched it but not found out a decipherable meaning behind it. Dustin is an old Norse derived name. It means, “Loyal Father and Valient Fighter.” These are things I hope to be.  Taro is short for Mitsutaro, which was my dad’s father’s name.

You’ve been given access to a time machine.  Where would you travel and what Grassroots drink would you take for the warp?

The time machine would have to be a 1984 DeLorean DMC-12. I’d head to  November 5th, 1955. That’s a Back to the Future reference. In all realness, I’d head to the Edo period of Japan and walk the streets of Feudal Japan during March. I would love to see the streets as they once were and experience the Peach Festival and see the cherry blossoms. Or I’d like to visit my deceased Grandfather for tea. Since it’s summer now, I’d take a nice 20oz Fruit Fusion Iced tea.

What thought or message would you want to put in a fortune cookie?

Life is like a baby, time to head out.

What is your favorite Grassroots drink to make and why?

I love to make cappuccinos. It is quite a feat to make the perfect foam for these drinks. It has to be almost the consistency of meringue. I’ve been making Caps for over five years and sometimes I still have to re make foam, because it isn’t perfect. It’s something that keeps me on my toes, is fun to make, and so tasty.

If you had to describe yourself using three words, they would be…

Foreign Romantic Comedy

Paper or plastic?

Paper always! It feels more classy.

Name 3 things that are always in your purse or pocket

Razor knife, chapstick, wallet… I know I’m boring. I could lie and say a gun, bubblegum, and the farmer’s almanac.

Tell us something funny and/or interesting that happened during a shift at Grassroots

Each and every shift at Grassroots has at least one point of humor. That’s because our crew is so much fun. One moment does stick out in my memory. We seem to always be trying to scare one another. One morning, Daniel (a.k.a. Dirty D) had come in at 5:30 to bake. I was rolling in around six, that morning, to open the register. I walk into the shop and can’t find Dirty D. I looked in the office, the prep room, and outside. I had no idea where he was. I was walking over to the register to clock in, when I hear someone giggling. Dirty D has a very recognizable laugh. It was coming from the storage shelf/ Crawl Space under the register. Daniel had wedged himself down there to scare me, but ended up giving himself away by laughing. It was pretty awesome dedication, because he is a tall guy and that was a small space.

Everyone has pet peeves.  Name one of yours.

I hate it when people don’t use their blinkers, while driving. I hate people being late without a justifiable reason. It’s rude.

If you could trade places, for the day, with another barista in the coffee shop, who would it be?  Why?

I’d have to trade with Heath. I mean, come on, who wouldn’t want triceps that big, even if just for a day! haha

Besides hanging out at grassroots, what else do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I’m a sucker for a good or horrible movie. I love to read and write. When it’s cool, you’ll find me and friends camping. My schedule is pretty crazy, so I don’t get to see my girl, Kristen, as much as I’d like. So I see her as much as I can in my spare time.

If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only eat 1 thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? 

I’d have to say either Miso Soup and steamed rice with Tonkatsu (panko breaded Japanese Style pock cutlet) or the Biggest bags of Doritos they make. Cause I could fashion a huge raft out of hundreds of unopened Doritos bags! That’s cheating though…

What animal best describes you?

Kopi Luwak Civet, Paradoxurus hermaphroditus. These are the civets/cats that live in Indonesia and eat coffee berries. Their digestive tracts change the flavor of the coffee beans. It is said to be the BEST coffee in the world. I’d like to be responsible for that…

 What do you want to be when you grow up?

I’m not sure I ever want to grow up. I think I’m having too much fun. I’d like to make movies that people want to see. I’d like to be a good husband and a great father. I’d like to be kind. I’d also like to have a wicked old man’s asian-y wispy beard, when I get older.

Candace

Thomasville is lucky enough to be called your home…how did you get here?

I was born and raised here

Tell us about your name.  Does it have any significance?

Well, my mom found it in a baby book.  Ha ha! That’s about it.

You’ve been given access to a time machine.  Where would you travel and what Grassroots drink would you take for the warp?

I would travel into the future to see what my life is like, and I would take a large Chai Blender with whip and caramel drizzle.

What thought or message would you want to put in a fortune cookie?

“Even though you might not be the brightest crayon in the box, success is still within your reach”

What is your favorite Grassroots drink to make and why?

Anything espresso.  I love making shots and steaming milk.

If you had to describe yourself using three words, they would be…

Unique.  Social.  Comforting.

Paper or Plastic?

Neither.  I like the cute little cloth bags.

Name 3 things that are always in your purse or pocket?

Cell phone, spare change, chapstick

Tell us something funny and/or interesting that happened during a shift at Grassroots.

One day I dropped the roll of resealable tape and had to chase it all the way down the back counter

Everyone has pet peeves – name one of yours

People touching me

If you could trade places, for the day, with another barista in the coffee shop, who would it be and why?

Dustin – cause he’s a cool japanese guy

Besides hanging out at Grassroots, what else to you enjoy doing in your free time?

Shop, working out at the Y (especially Zumba), and reading a good book.

If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only eat 1 thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Shrimp pasta

What animal best describes you?

A baby tiger

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Interventional Radiologist

Heath

Thomasville is lucky enough to be called your home…how did you get here?

I was born at Archbold and raised here, and I will say Thomasville is one of the finest towns I’ve seen.

Tell us about your name.  Does it have any significance?

My first name is Heath – like the candy bar.  My middle name is Clark, which is my mother’s maiden name…and Superman’s alter ego.

You’ve been given access to a time machine.  Where would you travel and what Grassroots drink would you take for the warp?

I would go as far into the future as necessary to find Thomasville with a decent nightlife.  And of course I would be sipping on a Caramel Blender the whole way.

What thought or message would you want to put in a fortune cookie?

“I see food poisoning in your future” or something like that.  I like playing practical jokes on people.

What is your favorite Grassroots drink to make and why?

I like to make the least labor intensive drinks possible.  To the plain black coffee drinkers of the world I salute you!

If you had to describe yourself using 3 words they would be…

Patient, Self-deprecating, Inquisitive

Paper or plastic?

Plastic.  Sorry Greenpeace.

Name 3 things that are always in your purse or pocket

Keys, Ipod, Wallet

Tell us something funny and/or interesting that happened during a shift at Grassroots

Something funny has happened every shift I have ever worked here, which says something good about our work environment.

Everyone has pet peeves – name one of yours

Giving me a handshake when you have sweaty palms.  Come on! You might as well sucker punch me while you’re at it!

If you could trade places, for the day, with another barista in the coffee shop, who would it be?  Why?

If you are talking about trading at work, I would want to be someone more efficient than myself.  Several of my co-workers match that description, but I’d probably have to give the gold medal to Emily.  Outside of work I would want to be Bronson, so that just for one day in my life I could know what it feels like to be brutal.

Besides hanging out at Grassroots, what else do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I like to goof off with my family and friends whenever I can, but most of my free time right now is spent reading legal hornbooks and preparing for law school this fall.  I’ll let you guess which I enjoy more.

Trinke

Thomasville is lucky enough to be called your home… how did you get here?

I moved here from New Jersey last September.  I wanted to be closer to my family and train for the Panama City Ironman.  New Jersey is not conducive to visiting my folks or long bike rides in the country.

Tell us about your name.  Does it have any significance?

It is actually german, and means “to drink”.  I wish there was some wild story behind why I was named after such a great verb.  My parents had a friend who named their daughter Trinka and they loved it.  Decided if they ever had a daughter they would name her the same but spell it Trinke because of our german descent.  Apologies to every substitute teacher who broke out in a cold sweat when they got to my name during attendance.

You’ve been given access to a time machine.  Where would you travel and what Grassroots drink would you take for the warp?

I’d like to take a trip across the US by train- during a time when there were no cell phones, computers or highways.  Our country is so beautiful and diverse.  I’d love to see it without asphalt and the constant distraction of technology.  And I’d be drinking an Americano with sugar and cream.

What thought or message would you want to put in a fortune cookie?

“Stop looking in a cookie for guidance”

What is your favorite Grassroots drink to make and why?

Iced Chai Latte  – I feel like a bartender when I make them and they smell fantastic

If you had to describe yourself using three words, they would be…

Organized,  impatient,  hungry

Paper or plastic? 

Cloth bag.  But if I forget to bring one I’ll take plastic.  They make great doggy poop bags

Name 3 things that are always in your purse or pocket 

Cell phone, change, lint

Tell us something funny and/or interesting that happened during a shift at Grassroots

Heath and I were working one night when the old chandelier above the entrance fell and shattered on the floor.  Heath had his back to the door – he saw the light from the chandelier in his peripheral vision, heard the crash when it hit the ground, and thought a car had driven into the store.

Everyone has pet peeves – name one of yours 

Drive thru’s.  If you ever see me in one you have permission to pull me out of my car and beat me senseless

If you could trade places, for the day, with another barista in the coffee shop, who would it be?  Why?

Dustin.  I’d love to be able to speak Japanese fluently.

 Besides hanging out at grassroots, what else do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Kayaking, triathlons, and shooting the breeze with my parents on their back porch

If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only eat 1 thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? 

Cheese

What animal best describes you?

A chicken.  They get up early and are constantly looking for food.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

A perfect blend of my parents