Coffee Shop and Bean Roaster ‘Southeastern Roastery’ Opens in Locust Point

Coffee shop and bean roaster Southeastern Roastery has opened at 1433 E. Fort Ave. in Locust Point. Southeastern Roastery’s approximately 750 sq. ft. first-floor retail space was the former home of Dessert Fantasies, which closed at the end of March and announced it was moving to a new location.

Southeastern Roastery is currently in a soft opening as it continues to set up the coffee shop and get its roaster hooked up. “Basically while we are setting up, we are inviting folks in the neighborhood to stop in, sample parts of our menu, and say hello,” said Candy Schibli, owner of Southeastern Roastery.

Schibli hopes to have the shop fully open in the next few weeks. It will likely be open from 8am to 2pm on Thursday to Sunday.

Schibli started the business in 2016 when she began roasting beans for retail coffee shops around Washington, D.C. and Baltimore and hosted coffee pop-up shops.

She was looking around for a retail space to set up her coffee shop and roasting business and, while she came close to moving into a space in Riverdale, MD, she fell in love with the retail space in Locust Point due to its location and layout that was already set up for a bakery. As a native of Southeastern, VA, where the shop gets its name, Schibli has an affinity for the waterfront. She said that was one of the big factors in choosing Locust Point to not only open her business, but to move to as well.

Schibli purchased a coffee roaster that was previously owned by Baltimore Coffee and Tea and is happy to bring it back to Baltimore.

Southeastern Roastery will sell single original drip coffee, blends, and espresso drinks using beans roasted in house. Schibli said her coffee is “feminine forward” which she describes as roasting to the edge of sweetness, but not towards bitterness.

She got into the business through her love of picking out beans and talking with farmers. Her beans come from Africa, Central America, and Southeast Asia. Schibli, who has a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and a master’s degree in international affairs, said she loves the chemistry behind roasting and the international aspect of sourcing beans.

Southeastern Roastery will also sell tea and baked goods, and will serve a menu of mostly vegetarian breakfast and brunch items. Schibli plans on adding healthy items such as fresh fruit popsicles for children in the neighborhood and students at the adjacent Francis Scott Key Elementary Middle School.

Schibli is looking to partner with local makers and businesses for items to sell at Southeastern Roastery.

Southeastern Roastery will be adding new signage and will be keeping the bold pink and lime green colors on the building.

On the days Southeastern Roastery is not open, Schibli and her team will focus on roasting beans for her growing portfolio of retail clients.

About the Author: Kevin Lynch

Founder and Publisher of SouthBmore.com, longtime resident of South Baltimore, and a graduate of Towson University. Diehard Ravens and O's fan, father of three, amateur pizza chef, skateboarder, and "bar food" foodie. Email me at Kevin@InceptMM.com and follow me on Twitter at @SoBoKevin.