More Than Coffee: The Local Bean Creates Community in Loganville
Loganville has a new coffee shop: The Local Bean. Owned and operated by Loganville Christian Academy graduate Myla Roberts Johnson and her husband, Andrew, The Local Bean celebrated its grand opening on Friday, May 15, after already making an impression on the community during a soft opening two weeks earlier. The response from the local community has been overwhelmingly positive.
Myla said one of the defining qualities of the coffee shop is its atmosphere.
“We do have an amazing atmosphere,” Myla said. “It’s comfortable, but the presence of the Lord is here.”
Though the shop does not display Bible verses or religious décor, customers have commented on the feeling they experience when they walk through the doors.
“Even one of our employees — she’s not a believer — and she’s already said something is so different here,” Myla said.
The Local Bean’s menu features European-style offerings, including cappuccinos, lattes, and coffee with no “crazy stuff” added, along with fresh pastries, quiches, croissants, and more. More importantly for Myla, however, is the sense of community found within The Local Bean. She has already witnessed that community beginning to form.
“We had three moms that all had little boys that met the other day and they exchanged phone numbers and left with more community than they had,” Myla said. “Our culture is becoming such a separated culture where people are becoming more independent. They work from home. They’re tired. They’re exhausted, where really we need community and you need a breath of fresh air that people aren’t getting.”
Bringing communities together has been a passion of Myla’s for much of her life, and that passion only grew during her 12 years at LCA. Before graduating as part of the Class of 2018, Myla participated in mission work in Honduras, Uganda, and other parts of the world. She later enrolled at Palm Beach Atlantic University in Florida, where she earned a degree in global studies through the theology department, along with a minor in Spanish.
While attending PBAU, Myla met her now-husband, Andrew, and the two quickly realized they shared a passion for mission work. One week after graduating college in 2021, they got married, spent a year in Florida, and then moved to Spain.
During their three years in Spain, they worked in a new church plant and did most of their ministry in coffee shops. It did not take long for Myla and Andrew to realize that life in the area revolved around relationships, many of which were built inside coffee shops.
“On average, 1.5 times per day, Europeans are in a coffee shop,” Myla said. “When you hit the siesta hour — 2-4 p.m. — schools shut down, parents can pick up their kids in school and they take them back at 4.”
Remaining in Spain had been the couple’s long-term plan until they felt the Lord was leading them elsewhere. In March 2025, Myla returned to Loganville for a week-long service project, and during that week, she began to see her hometown in a different light. Growing up, she described herself as “anti-Loganville” and eager to move away. However, following her trip and after discussions and prayer with Andrew, the couple decided to return to Loganville in November 2025.
They began the process of opening The Local Bean on Jan. 15, 2026 — exactly four months before its grand opening. Along the way, several people Myla met during her time at LCA helped shape and influence her journey. She remains in contact with her elementary principal, Mr. Johnson, who now lives in California. Mrs. Estella Touchton and Mr. Andrew Martin also drew high praise from Myla. In addition, Mr. Mark Davis and Mrs. Christy Monda were strong supporters while Myla lived in Spain, sending monthly check-in emails.
Myla said she is deeply appreciative of what LCA has done for her.
“The moment they heard I wanted to pursue missions, they were doing everything that they could to get me there,” Myla said. “They actually care about who you are and what you want to pursue and help you get there.”
Myla and Andrew attend First Baptist Loganville, but for the business’s mission, the couple plans to connect with churches throughout the area in order to broaden their reach. At the end of the day, The Local Bean is intended to impact all of Loganville, not just a small portion of it. Customers have already echoed the need for a place like The Local Bean.
“Everybody that comes in that knows Loganville has always said, ‘Oh, Loganville’s needed this as a place for community to actually gather,’” Myla said. “I’ll ask them questions and they’re like, ‘Oh, we just need the gathering place. We always go to Monroe, we go to Snellville, but there’s no place like this that you can actually gather and enjoy.’”
The Local Bean is located at 303 Main St. in Loganville. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. To learn more about the coffee shop, visit https://www.thelocalbean.co/.
For current and future LCA students, Myla hopes one message stands out from her journey: wait on the Lord’s timing.
“Even though you have dreams and goals, you go where the Lord leads,” Myla said. “Our dream was always this, but the Lord took us to Spain. We thought it was there in Spain. If we would have jumped, because that’s what our heart desired, we would have been in a whole different space. Although we wanted it, we kept praying for the Lord’s timing and, when it came, it came. We know this is the Lord’s timing. It’s obvious.
“We’re in such a fast-paced life. People jump at wanting to do stuff really quick when they shouldn’t be.”