Second State Coffee is a small, locally owned coffee roastery and multi-location cafe founded in February 2012 on Beaufain Street in downtown Charleston, South Carolina. The company operates with a philosophy centered on craftsmanship and hospitality, striving to source, roast, and serve the best coffees while providing exceptional education and cafe experiences. Their name reflects their commitment to continuous growth and reaching their "next level" - their "second state." The company's founding philosophy emphasizes unbelievable service, exceptional training, and high quality coffee as foundational pieces that create a welcoming home for both first-time coffee drinkers and coffee connoisseurs. Their mission is to make their coffees and products as approachable and fun as they are pleasing. Second State Coffee is dedicated to learning and sharing knowledge, partnering with one of the industry's top coffee educators in the Southeast to build passion and appreciation through engaging curricula for their teams, partners, and community. Second State Coffee has grown from a single location to four cafe locations across the Charleston area: their flagship Downtown location in historic Harleston Village, Mount Pleasant on South Shelmore Boulevard, West Ashley on Ashley Hall Road, and Oyster Park on Shucker Circle. Their roastery and warehouse operations are based on James Island. Each location maintains consistency in quality and service while offering unique features - West Ashley specializes in pour-overs and gluten-free waffles, Mount Pleasant provides full breakfast and lunch menus, and Oyster Park offers a curated selection of wine bottles. The company's iconic mascot is Kiambu, an owl that appears on their coffee bags and in their stores. The owl serves as an emblem of wakefulness and awareness, representing the brand's constant growth and expansion while standing watch over every chapter of the company's evolution. Second State Coffee offers educational content, coffee subscriptions, wholesale services, and barista training classes, demonstrating their commitment to community engagement and coffee education throughout the Charleston region.
2012
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Second State Coffee • Charleston, SC
$27.00 · $2.25/oz
Varieties
Fruity Pebbles • Rose • Honey • Sage • Pomegranate • Watermelon
Caturra Floral from Andrés Martinez is Second State's semi-washed Cauca lot grown at El Sendero. Sweet and floral like fruity pebbles, with rose, honey, and sage — layered complexity from a young Colombian producer.
Second State Coffee • Charleston, SC
$10.00 · $2.50/oz
Varieties
Sweet Raspberry • Pomegranate • Pecan • Cacao
Colombia Natural Guamo Microlot is Second State's anaerobic natural from Forest Coffee's Reforest Project in Caldas. Sweet raspberry, pomegranate, pecan, and cacao with medium body — a feel-good Colombian cup roasted in Charleston.
Second State Coffee • Charleston, SC
$17.00 · $1.42/oz
Caramel
Decaf Sugar Cane Process is Second State's Guatemalan decaf, processed with sugar cane ethyl acetate. Smooth and sweet with caramel and a whisper of fruit — full flavor without the caffeine kick from Charleston.
Second State Coffee • Charleston, SC
$24.00 · $2.00/oz
Varieties
Black Tea • Jasmine • Blood Orange
Ethiopia Chelbesa is Second State's washed lot from the famed Chelbesa Washing Station in Gedeb. Black tea, jasmine, and blood orange with delicate acidity and silky texture — a clean, floral Ethiopian cup from Charleston.
Second State Coffee • Charleston, SC
$8.50 · $2.13/oz
Varieties
Blackberry • Watermelon • Amaretto
Ethiopia Sakaro Wine Process is Second State's anaerobic natural from Worka Sakaro in Gedeb, Ethiopia. Blackberry, watermelon, and amaretto in a fruity, soft, approachable cup — a barista favorite pour-over roasted in Charleston.
Second State Coffee • Charleston, SC
$19.00 · $1.58/oz
Black Fruits • Chocolate
Guatemala Ixlama is Second State's approachable Huehuetenango coffee used daily as café espresso. Deep black fruits, round chocolate, and soft acidity — balanced for espresso or drip, roasted in Charleston.
Second State Coffee • Charleston, SC
$17.00 · $1.42/oz
Fudgey
Heavyweight is Second State's longtime house blend — washed Colombia paired with natural Brazil. Traditional, low-acid, and fudgey with a medium-full body — the Charleston staple poured as drip and cold brew.
Second State Coffee • Charleston, SC
$17.50 · $1.46/oz
Nutty • Classic • Lightly Floral • Medium Sweet
Prizefighter is Second State's more developed blend of specialty Colombia, Brazil, and Ethiopia. Nutty, classic, and lightly floral with medium sweetness — a Charleston med-dark roast built for everyday brewing.
Second State Coffee • Charleston, SC
$17.00 · $1.42/oz
Sweet
Stealth is Second State's crowd-pleasing blend of washed Colombia and natural Brazil. Full, velvety, and sweetly approachable — a Charleston dark roast for first-time specialty drinkers and everyday cups.