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How has Spero played a part in the Chestnut Coffee House story?
How many locations do you have now?
What’s the most rewarding part of running a coffee shop?
Any special plans for the holiday season?
Do you have a favorite holiday drink?
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Some dreams get their start in unexpected places. For Brandi and Jon Ward, it happened on the long drive home from an antiquing trip in Texas. Brandi had talked for years about opening a neighborhood coffee shop — not downtown, but in a more suburban setting where people could gather, catch up, and feel like family. By January of 2022, that little road trip conversation had turned into the first Chestnut Coffee House near Verdae’s Legacy Park.
But Chestnut Coffee wasn’t their first business venture. Jon’s a builder, Brandi’s a designer, and together they started Chestnut Living back in 2018. The coffee shop was their next adventure — one built on the same love for creating beautiful, welcoming spaces. And thanks to a timely connection with Spero, the Wards were able to turn that dream into a delicious reality.
Chestnut Coffee’s story is one of connection, creativity, and community. We caught up with Brandi to learn a little more about how it started and where it’s headed next.
How has Spero played a part in the Chestnut Coffee House story?
"The Lord is so good at making connections. We met Jason Currie (a Spero Mortgage Manager) when he and his wife, Katie, bought our home and became our neighbors. By working with Spero, we were able to take out equity on our home, and that made our dreams of launching the coffee shops possible. It’s been so rewarding."
How many locations do you have now?
"After opening our first shop, we added a downtown Simpsonville location in August 2022, then expanded to Patrick Square in Clemson and Five Forks in 2024. And by the end of 2025, we’ll be opening our newest spot at Hartness."
What’s the most rewarding part of running a coffee shop?
"The best part is the people! We get to hear so many kind words from the community, and it’s such a joy watching our regulars bring in their friends and make new connections. It really does feel like home. And then there’s our staff! Getting to know their stories and watching those relationships grow has been such a gift."
Any special plans for the holiday season?
"We will be just opening our Hartness location and celebrating the one-year birthday of our Five Forks shop. Plus, our classic peppermint vanilla syrup will be returning, along with some new seasonal flavors."
Do you have a favorite holiday drink?
"I know I just mentioned it, but I love our peppermint vanilla in any of our drinks — lattes, matchas, americanos, cappuccinos, any of them! Jon loves it so much that one of our baristas will make him a special batch to keep behind the bar throughout the year — it even has his name on it."
Learn more about Chestnut Coffee House at chestnutcoffeehouse.com — or better yet, find the one that’s closest to you and stop in to try one of their seasonal drinks for yourself!
This material is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.
