Little-known Starbucks in Jackson County expands its hours

PASCAGOULA -- OK. Who knew Pascagoula had a Starbucks?

Grant you, "it's kind of hidden," says the city's spokeswoman, who's a customer. But the River Cafe at the Singing River Medical Park qualifies.

Scott Butcher, director of Food Nutrition Services at Singing River Hospital, said the cafe is licensed with Starbucks and certainly sells the products.

"Starbucks came down and set us up," he said. But that was several years ago.

The little cafe is perched between the Healthplex gym and first-floor medical offices.

It has the Starbucks logo. It has the coffee. It has the wall menu of Starbucks coffee specialties.

It just doesn't sell the full line of products or accept the gift cards.

But as a Starbucks, it seems to be catching on.

Just this month it expanded hours, adding to the 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday schedule that accommodates the morning exercise crowd. It now will also be open 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday.

Amber Buehl, employee of four years, said she's noticed an uptick in coffee traffic.

"I have my regulars," she said. "But there are new people coming in. They say, 'We didn't know you were here.'"

She has both young customers and an older crowd.

Customer Marcia Timmermans, who lives in town, likes the caramel macchiato. She got used to the brand when she was a travel nurse and worked in Connecticut and around Martha's Vineyard.

"I got hooked on Starbucks, being up north," she said. "They have so many varieties and flavors fresh ground."

Now she gets her favorite at the little cafe.

Jackson County doesn't have a full, standalone Starbucks yet. Word has it, Ocean Springs is working on one.

Until then, the River Cafe is the closest we've got.

This story was originally published March 9, 2016 at 3:09 PM with the headline "Little-known Starbucks in Jackson County expands its hours ."