Talking All Things Coffee With Methodical Coffee's Will Shurtz

Shurtz’s Coffee Beginnings

Before the dream of Methodical Coffee became a reality, there was Vagabond Barista. Shurtz was finishing up school online, traveling around with a band and working at coffee shops in town during his free time when he realized he wanted to make coffee for a living. At age 19, Shurtz started Vagabond Barista. “I didn’t necessarily have the money to build out a whole cafe or to hire a bunch of baristas,” said Shurtz. “So I was like, ‘I’ll just take what I have - I have the brewing equipment - and I’ll just go to people.’”

Shurtz took Vagabond everywhere for about three years, from events to offices to schools all over the country. His philosophy was to do pour over coffee in glassware so people could experience coffee being made by hand.

About Methodical Coffee

Methodical Coffee consists of three key players: Will Shurtz, Marco Suarez and David Baker. Shurtz meet Suarez when he helped with the branding for Vagabond and he meet Baker when he attended a coffee tasting Shurtz was hosting. The three brought their talents together to create the Methodical Coffee you all know and love today.

Methodical Coffee opened in February 2015 and has since made quite a name for itself. Not only has it been named the most beautiful cafe in South Carolina, it’s been featured in publications like National Geographic, The New York Times, Architectural Digest, and more.

What’s next on the horizon for Methodical Coffee? Watch the video and find out!

Mentioned in Video

Swamp Rabbit Inn

Methodical Coffee

Vagabond Barista

National Geographic

New York Times

Architectural Digest

Billiam Jeans

Urban Digs

The Community Tap

Dapper Ink

The Landmark Project

The Dream B&B for Cyclists

Recently, Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine featured an article highlighting Swamp Rabbit Inn’s amenities and offerings for traveling cyclists. Swamp Rabbit Inn was founded by Wendy Lynam, a cyclists, and continues to cater to the needs of guests who want to explore and travel by bike. A traveling cyclists has different needs and desires than the typical B&B guest, and Swamp Rabbit Inn recognizes that.

“Diverse riding experiences, a mild climate, and the unique southern-mountain flavor make upstate South Carolina a must-visit biking destination. Ride the quiet country roads, scale the epic climbs, bomb down the thunderous Paris Mountain State Park, or keep it fun at the Gateway Park skills course. Prefer a slower pace? Take a relaxing pedal down the Swamp Rabbit Trail, a 22-mile paved greenway trail connecting downtown Greenville with Travelers Rest, South Carolina.”

Read the entire article at Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine.

John Nolan of Greenville History Tours Talks Touring Greenville by Streets and Eats

Check out my chat with John Nolan of Greenville History Tours. We talk about all things Greenville’s past, present and future!

About Greenville History Tours

Nolan started Greenville History Tours about 12 years ago and was the first tour company here in Greenville. The original tour Nolan started with was the West End Walking tour which is a about an hour and gives a general overview of Greenville from the early days of the textile era to things going on now to things that are about to happen. “I love being able to be the frontline of Greenville,” says Nolan. “You know, people come here for the first time and I get to be the cheerleader for Greenville.”

Nolan has since expanded his company with driving and culinary tours. The most popular tour by far is The Chef’s Table Culinary tour; Nolan’s first food tour. Nolan partnered with the Table 301 restaurant group to bring a new way for both locals and visitors to experience Greenville’s downtown. “It’s just a fun three hour, five restaurant sampling and so, I’ve gotten to the point where every one sells out,” says Nolan.

Check out all of Nolan’s tours here: http://www.greenvillehistorytours.com

Mentioned in Video

Greenville History Tours

Greenville Culinary Tours

Table 301

Famous Toastery

Biscuit Head

Le Petit Croissant

Hand Signals Cyclists Want You To Know

Just like motorists use signals to indicate their next move, so do cyclists. However, instead of turn signal lights, cyclists use hand signals. With many cities now opening up their streets to cyclists with designated bike lanes it’s important for motorists to understand cycling hand signals when they see them. See below for three important hand signals all motorists should know, modeled by our cycling pal Marquette:

Hand Signal #1: Turning right

Hand Signal #2: Turning left

Hand Signal #3: Stopping or slowing

A few other things to keep in mind:

• ALWAYS check your blindspots

• Slow down. Never speed past a cyclist when driving around them

• When parking, check your mirror before opening the door

• Maintain a minimum of three feet of space from a cyclist

• Check your blindspot before making a right turn

Not only is this information beneficial to the safety of cyclists riding amongst automobiles, but also to motorists themselves. Drivers, remember these tips next time you turn a bend and see a cyclist up ahead. Stay safe!

Carrie Counton Running for District 19 State Representative

Today we sat down with Carrie Counton running for SC State Representative in District 19. We met Carrie at Truck Inn Tuesday over the Summer and wanted to learn more about her campaign so she joined me on Facebook Live this week and we chat safe streets, public transportation and more …

Carrie is running against 22 year incumbent, Dwight Loftis, who opposed the Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Act H.3615 and eventually killed the bill. In a district that includes a long portion of the Swamp Rabbit Trail, a 20+ mile paved greenway trail that attracts many pedestrians and cyclists, protecting the safety of these citizens is an everyday concern.

Follow Carrie Counton’s campaign on her website and Facebook page. She will be on the ballot on November 6, 2018 for SC District 19 State Representative.

Thanks for watching and tune in next week Wednesday at noon on for another Facebook Live interview at Swamp Rabbit Inn & Properties page and subscribe to be notified when we go live. #bikeinnbikeout