Mitchell Wool owns the Bean Bag, an independent coffeehouse and deli in Bethesda. The store has been in his family for 30 years.
How did your family come to start their business?
My father, Sam Wool, was in the grocery business in D.C. He sold his business and went on vacation to Maine with my mom, Sandie. They found a cute coffee and mug store, and thought it would be a good idea to open one in Bethesda. We were the first coffee shop in suburban Maryland and one of three in the metro area at the time, in 1977.
How has your business evolved?
First we just sold coffee, tea and upscale cookware. We gradually converted into a deli, bakery and espresso bar. … In 1983, I started working full time, and we started to expand the catering business. We opened up three more stores, but eventually sold them and went back to just the original store, and focused on the catering business.
What effect have chains like Starbucks had on the Bean Bag?
We thought we were going to get buried when Starbucks came into the market. But they’ve created a market for cappuccinos, lattes and mochas that didn’t exist before. We would sell 10 to 15 cappuccinos a day; now we sell about 250 a day. Their niche is not the hard-core coffee drinker. Those guys are coming here.
What is your favorite kind of coffee?
I probably drink between 20 to 30 shots of straight espresso a day. I get up between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. every day, and I’m usually home by 7 p.m. at night. I work seven days a week, but I do love it.
What plans do you have for the future?
I’d like to try some other food or retail concepts, such as a full-scale restaurant. I’d also love to do a New York-style deli.
