Recently opened local coffee shop looks to be place for community

The Hoyings' inspiration was pretty simple. They like coffee, and they wanted to own a small business.

Brian and Larissa Hoying recently opened Beanz Coffee Café in the southwest valley near Blue Diamond Road and South Decatur Boulevard.

"We loved the idea of it," Larissa Hoying said. "We loved the fact that we could have a coffee shop, and our friends can hang out in a cool, comfortable place."

Beanz, 4830 Blue Diamond Road, Suite 130, has a grand opening event scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. The Vegas Vanguard Entertainment Drumline is set to perform at 11 a.m. Patrons wearing a tutu - a play on the date, 2/2 - will receive a free small coffee or hot chocolate with a limit of one per family.

The Hoyings purchased the space in November and opened Beanz on Dec. 13, replacing the former Sonoma Coffee Café. Beanz is open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends.

Specialty drinks include the White Mocha Madness, Snickers Latte, Beanz Banana Split, Beanz Spiced Mocha and Beanz Slammers, which are shots of espresso with flavoring and cream. Beanz also has whole-leaf brewed hot and iced teas, fruit smoothies, fresh juices and pastries from the German Bread Bakery, 2237 N. Rampart Blvd.

The Hoyings have two boys, 3-year-old Joel and 4-year-old Elijah. The got the name of the cafe from Joel.

Larissa Hoying explained that Joel became "Joel-y," which became "Joel-y Bean," which in turn morphed into "Bean." Then they added a Z to the end of their son's nickname.

Beanz gets its beans from Colorado River Coffee Roasters in Boulder City. Hoying said the beans are less oily and taste "phenomenal," adding that she was happy to support a local roaster.

Desert Oasis High School senior Kristina Livas goes to Beanz three or four times per week, usually after school for a few hours and always orders the same thing - hot chocolate.

"I like the environment and the fact that they have free Wi-Fi," Livas said. "They're always nice to me."

Livas said she comes to the cafe to do homework or often just to kill time.

"It's cheaper than Starbucks, that's for sure," Livas said. "They're nicer than Starbucks, too."

The cafe is decorated with photos and paintings from local artists. On display through the end of February are works by Hina Jain.

Hoying said she plans to rotate the artwork every few months to showcase other artists.

"We really like local art and want to support that community," she said.

A guitar also sits in the cafe but is rarely played. It belongs to the Hoyings, but Larissa said she and her husband still have not taken the time to learn it.

Customers are welcome to play it, she said, and she plans to have open mic nights in the future, especially during summer. Jim Parker, a Henderson resident, stopped in the cafe Jan. 16 while passing through the area. He tuned the guitar and played "City of New Orleans" as performed by folk singer Arlo Guthrie.

Hoying said she knew next to nothing about making specialty coffee before she opened the store. She spent weeks practicing and hired some experienced baristas to help run the place.

Other local independent coffee shop owners also have been helpful and supportive, she said.

"It doesn't feel like it's a competition; it just feels like a community," she said.

For more information, visit beanzcc.com or call 702-492-2326.

Contact View education reporter Jeff Mosier at jmosier@viewnews.com or 702-224-5524.