Couple Opens Rustic Bean Coffee Shop, Bringing Mountain Vibes to Florida

Kara and Jeffery McGonigal launch their dream coffee shop in Englewood, inspired by their family's move from New York.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 11:08am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Kara McGonigal, a mother whose daughter has a rare genetic condition, moved her family from New York to Englewood, Florida to be closer to family. There, she met her husband Jeffery, a local business owner, and together they decided to open The Rustic Bean Coffee Shop, which celebrates its one-month anniversary on April 1, 2026. The shop is designed to bring the cozy, rustic mountain vibes of the Adirondacks to the Florida coast, with a menu of specialty coffee drinks and homey baked goods.

Why it matters

The Rustic Bean represents the realization of Kara's lifelong dream to open a community-focused business, as well as a new chapter for her family after relocating to Florida to better accommodate her daughter's rare medical condition. In an era of corporate coffee chains, the shop's focus on local character, family values, and a sense of 'mountain retreat' offers a refreshing alternative for the Englewood community.

The details

Kara and Jeffery McGonigal launched The Rustic Bean Coffee Shop in January 2025 after Kara had the idea to open a coffee shop while the couple was playing Yahtzee on their porch one night. Kara, a longtime Dunkin' customer, felt something was missing in the local coffee scene, and Jeffery encouraged her to pursue her dream. The shop's rustic, Adirondacks-inspired design and menu of specialty coffee drinks like Lakehouse Lattes and Bear Claw Brew are a nod to Kara's childhood in upstate New York, as well as a way to bring a piece of that mountain atmosphere to Florida for her daughter, who can no longer travel north due to her rare genetic condition.

  • The Rustic Bean Coffee Shop celebrates its one-month anniversary on April 1, 2026.
  • Kara and Jeffery McGonigal launched the business in January 2025.

The players

Kara McGonigal

The owner of The Rustic Bean Coffee Shop, who moved her family from New York to Englewood, Florida to be closer to family and accommodate her daughter's rare medical condition.

Jeffery McGonigal

Kara's husband, a local business owner who encouraged Kara to pursue her dream of opening a coffee shop.

The Rustic Bean Coffee Shop

A new coffee shop in Englewood, Florida that aims to bring a cozy, mountain-inspired atmosphere to the Florida coast.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“My shop is a taste of home. There's a pretty long story behind how I landed here, but really, I've loved coffee for as long as I can remember. I never said to myself, 'I'll own a coffee shop one day.' But I always wanted to make my local community better. That's always been my thing. I have a passion for, well, everything.”

— Kara McGonigal, Owner, The Rustic Bean Coffee Shop

“My kids aren't biologically his, but he adopted them without blinking. It's straight out of a Lifetime movie. He's my happy ending that I never saw coming.”

— Kara McGonigal, Owner, The Rustic Bean Coffee Shop

What’s next

The Rustic Bean Coffee Shop will celebrate its one-year anniversary in April 2027, marking a significant milestone for the young business.

The takeaway

The Rustic Bean Coffee Shop represents the realization of one woman's lifelong dream to open a community-focused business, as well as a heartwarming story of family, resilience, and finding unexpected joy in the face of adversity. Its mountain-inspired aesthetic and menu offer a unique and welcoming alternative to corporate coffee chains, showcasing the power of small businesses to bring people together.