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By JOYCE McKENZIE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 11, 2008

TEMPLE TERRACE - Bear Creek Coffee Cafe's owners say its coffee is all about the beans, but its coffee is not all the cafe is about.

Before opening their business recently in Telecom Park, Ron Smith and Eric Peterson were indoctrinated in the methods that its Indianapolis-based parent company believes creates the finest cup of coffee out there.

"We roast our beans and brew our coffee within 14 days to give it its very best flavor," said Peterson, who in partnership with Smith purchased the business as a licensee.

Smith, who met and became a good friend of Peterson while both were living and working in Honduras, said the coffee loses its freshness, which in turn diminishes its quality, after a two-week span.

"Beyond 15 days, the beans start losing their oils that give coffee its flavor," Smith said.

The shop's classic and specialty coffee drinks, Peterson added, are mixed manually, rather than in machines.

"If you get an espresso at Starbucks that's done in a mixer, they give it about an eight-second shot. We shoot for 23 seconds, which gives it a much better flavor," he said. "You can taste the difference, as our slogan says, plus it's cheaper."

The cafe also serves breakfast pastries, croissants, panini sandwiches and wraps, as well an extensive selection of made-to-order hot luncheon items that includes sandwiches and wraps made with turkey, chicken, corned beef, ham and cheese, and tuna. A soup of the day is also available.

In addition to coffees, patrons can select from an assortment of all-natural soft drinks, 100 percent fruit juices and caffeine-free teas.

Customers are welcome to order online, a convenience Smith said should appeal to employees of the many businesses in the Telecom and Hidden River office parks.

"To our knowledge, no one else, not even Starbucks, offers online ordering," Peterson added. "Just send us your order, and we'll have it ready for pickup in 15 minutes."

Free Wi-Fi service is available to all customers, and University of South Florida students receive a 15 percent discount on all orders.

"We just want to offer a relaxing, friendly environment where people can come and read a newspaper or search the Internet," Peterson said.

Cafe manager Jeannie Gent said her customers are doing just that.

"People want to come in to hang out and get to know other people," she said. "The coffee is really, really good, and we're just hoping this place will get to be known as the spot to come to."

Sean Fernandez, an employee of a nearby business in Telecom Park, has visited the cafe on a couple of occasions, even though he is not a coffee drinker.

This time he was simply "chilling out" in an oversized lounge chair as he waited for his lunch order to be prepared.

"I really like the California wrap. They make up the wraps right in front of you. The food is good, and the prices are right," Fernandez said. "I've told some of my co-workers about this place and they've also started coming here."

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Bear Creek Coffee Cafe
WHERE: 13312 Telecom Drive

WHEN: Open from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday

INFORMATION: Go to www.bearcreekcoffeetampa bay.com or call (813) 631-9000

Reporter Joyce McKenzie can be reached at (813) 865-4849 or jmckenzie@tampatrib.com.

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