Myrtle Beach, February 16, 2026
The Coastal Coffee Fest recently brought together coffee lovers and local businesses in Myrtle Beach, raising funds for the Bloom & Brew Project. This festival celebrates local coffee culture while empowering special education students through hands-on job training. With coffee tastings, an artisan market, and educational sessions, the event highlights community collaboration and supports a meaningful cause, demonstrating a powerful model for local engagement and growth.
Myrtle Beach
Coastal Coffee Fest Brews Community Spirit and Support for Local Initiative
The third annual Coastal Coffee Fest recently united dozens of coffee enthusiasts and local businesses in Myrtle Beach, transforming a passion for coffee into a tangible force for good. This vibrant event not only celebrated the growing local coffee scene but also significantly benefited the Bloom & Brew Project, a non-profit dedicated to empowering special education students in Horry County through meaningful work experiences. The festival stands as a testament to how local initiative and private partnerships can effectively foster community growth and support valuable causes, often achieving impactful results without extensive bureaucratic overhead.
The success of events like the Coastal Coffee Fest underscores the power of individual vision and local collaboration. When community members and small businesses come together, they create platforms that not only entertain but also address specific local needs, showcasing a streamlined approach to civic engagement. Such initiatives highlight a dynamic model for community development, where personal drive and direct action lead to observable benefits for residents.
A Catalyst for Skill Development
The Coastal Coffee Fest serves as a primary fundraiser for the Bloom & Brew Project, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded by Nick Spinelli of Caspin Coffee. This non-profit focuses on providing hands-on specialized job training for teenagers and young adults with disabilities in Horry County, South Carolina. The project operates mobile coffee carts within Horry County high schools, offering students practical experience in customer service, teamwork, and business operations. The majority of the proceeds generated by the Bloom & Brew Project are directly reinvested into enhancing special education resources throughout the county. This direct approach ensures that funds raised contribute immediately and transparently to the program’s mission.
Collaboration Fuels Community Impact
The festival, held on February 14, 2026, at the Horry-Georgetown Technical College Conference and Business Center, brought together numerous local coffee roasters and vendors. Businesses like Liberty Brew Coffee participated, noting that the Bloom & Brew Project’s mission made the decision to join an easy one. This kind of private sector alignment with philanthropic goals exemplifies how businesses can extend their impact beyond commercial endeavors, directly contributing to community well-being. The festival offered attendees coffee tastings, access to a local artisan market, food trucks, and opportunities to interact with local roasters and bakers. Educational sessions were also a key feature, providing insights into coffee sourcing and the roasting process.
Growth and Recognition for Local Craft
Now in its third year, the Coastal Coffee Fest has become an annual highlight, demonstrating consistent growth and increasing its reach within the local community. The event not only supports a critical non-profit but also shines a spotlight on the vibrant and diverse coffee scene along the Grand Strand. In previous years, local favorites such as Grand Strand Coffee and Beach Hippie Coffee received awards, with Beach Hippie Coffee winning for Best Drip Coffee and Grand Strand Coffee for Best Cold Brew in 2025. Such recognition encourages local businesses and elevates the quality of offerings within the region, fostering healthy competition and innovation.
The Power of Local Organization
The organization of an event like the Coastal Coffee Fest demonstrates the effectiveness of local groups taking the lead in community building. Initiated by Caspin Coffee, a local coffee shop, the festival aims to unite coffee lovers and local businesses, promoting their passion for coffee and raising awareness of area roasters. This bottom-up approach to community development often allows for greater flexibility and responsiveness to local needs, bypassing potential delays associated with more centralized organizational structures. The ability of local entrepreneurs to identify a need and then mobilize resources and support to address it directly benefits the community.
Future Engagement and Sustainable Growth
The ongoing success of the Coastal Coffee Fest and the Bloom & Brew Project points to a model of sustainable community engagement driven by local commitment. The project’s dedication to empowering special education students offers a long-term benefit to Horry County, equipping individuals with valuable skills for future employment. Encouraging participation in and support of such localized initiatives helps cultivate a stronger, more self-reliant community. These events not only provide immediate enjoyment and economic activity but also invest in the human capital of the region, fostering individual achievement and civic responsibility.
In conclusion, the Coastal Coffee Fest stands as a prime example of local ingenuity and community spirit in Myrtle Beach. By championing the Bloom & Brew Project, the festival not only celebrates the local coffee culture but also makes a profound impact on the lives of special education students in Horry County. Continued support for such events allows local initiatives to flourish, demonstrating the collective power of personal initiative and private partnerships in building a thriving community. Readers are encouraged to seek out and support local events and non-profits that are making a tangible difference in the Myrtle Beach area and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Coastal Coffee Fest?
The Coastal Coffee Fest is an annual event in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, celebrating local coffee culture and benefiting a local non-profit.
Which non-profit organization does the Coastal Coffee Fest benefit?
The Coastal Coffee Fest benefits the Bloom & Brew Project, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Horry County, South Carolina.
What is the mission of the Bloom & Brew Project?
The Bloom & Brew Project is dedicated to providing meaningful work experience in a familiar and inclusive setting for Special Education students in Horry County, South Carolina, through operating mobile coffee carts in high schools.
Where was the 2026 Coastal Coffee Fest held?
The 2026 Coastal Coffee Fest was held at the Horry-Georgetown Technical College Conference and Business Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
What activities were available at the Coastal Coffee Fest?
Attendees enjoyed coffee tastings, a local artisan market, food trucks, opportunities to mingle with local roasters and bakers, and educational opportunities about coffee sourcing and roasting.
Which local businesses were recognized at the 2025 Coastal Coffee Fest?
Grand Strand Coffee won for Best Cold Brew and Beach Hippie Coffee won for Best Drip Coffee at the 2025 Coastal Coffee Fest.
Key Features of the Coastal Coffee Fest
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Event Purpose | Fundraiser for the Bloom & Brew Project, supporting special education students. |
| Beneficiary | Bloom & Brew Project, a 501(c)(3) non-profit providing job training to special education students in Horry County, South Carolina. |
| Location (2026) | Horry-Georgetown Technical College Conference and Business Center, Myrtle Beach, SC. |
| Activities Offered | Coffee tastings, local artisan market, food trucks, interactions with roasters/bakers, educational sessions on coffee sourcing and roasting. |
| Event Frequency | Annual event, celebrating its third year in 2026. |
| Key Organizer | Initiated by Caspin Coffee, a local coffee shop. |
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Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
