The Challenge

The Steaming Bean came under new ownership and with that an updated vision for the shop’s future and role in the community. The Steaming Bean was about to undergo some big changes and needed branding to support the new vision and provide clear direction on how to scale the business without losing what made it so lovable.

Our Solution

We worked closely with the owners to reinvent the logo and make it something locals were proud to wear and share. Their business is generated by word-of-mouth, so having a mark that was ownable and unique was incredibly valuable.

We did the impossible; we made coffee better.

What makes a good, authentic experience even better? That was the question we had to ask ourselves when designing the branding for The Steaming Bean.

Although their previous logo was outdated/underthought, the location, coffee and customer base were all stable and steady. Because of this, we leaned into the history of the shop with the primary logo. We expanded the brand offering by taking ownership over the nickname “The Bean” in a secondary mark and created a new symbol using “S.B.” (the initials for Steaming Bean and Shell Beach).

Money-making merchandise.

Small businesses feel the ebbs and flows of the seasons and economy. When the pandemic hit, The Bean had to pivot in many ways, closing the shop for a period of time, offering takeout only, etc. One way they could stay afloat and generate new revenue was through selling new merchandise like mugs, sweatshirts, hats and more.

Next: Shell Beach Surf

Expanding reach for a beloved California surf shop by designing a modernized, timeless logo and brand system that appeals to a multi-generational audience.

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