In one of downtown Greenville’s finest corners, tucked between restaurants, is Methodical Coffee. On nicer days, the journey here passes live musicians and couples dining outdoors. On gloomier days, the shop still welcomes customers with a beautiful exterior and fresh blends inside.

“Hot coffee for warm people,” co-founder Will Shurtz dubbed the idea.

Upon entry, patrons are greeted by vinyl records, hand-selected each day by the staff, playing over the stereo. Overlooking the barista’s counter is an upstairs seating area where it is not uncommon to find students deep in thought staring down at the black-and-white-tiled floor.

Methodical Coffee isn’t your average coffee shop. As the name suggests, they have something more in mind when it comes to the cafe process and culture.

“It’s about coffee. And so much more than coffee,” their website proclaims.

Founded in 2015 by David Baker, Will Shurtz and Marco Suarez, Methodical Coffee aims to bring the best of local vendors to the upstate. They sell coffee, tea, baked goods and merchandise from around the state and even the world.

Methodical is guided by their four beliefs: community, connection, craft and complexity. This is how they started, and it’s how they aim to approach every brew, bean and project. Methodical is designed to foster actual relationships with its customers and to make something that is worth coming back for.

One of Methodical’s co-founders, David Baker, graduated from the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business in 2005. Clemson is where David first learned the meaning of one of Methodical’s guiding beliefs — community.

“I fell in love with the diversity of the student body here and really focused on building relationships during college, especially in the study abroad program I was in,” Baker said.

David’s time studying abroad led to his involvement in Methodical Coffee. One year, the hostel he was staying at hosted the Czech Barista Championship.

“I realized there was nothing like this in Greenville, and I wanted to be first to start it there,” he said. “Then I found out there were a few people working on similar ideas and I thought, ‘I don’t want to work against them.’” Two years, two business partners and countless hours of hard work later, Methodical Coffee opened its first location.

From their first day open, Methodical was welcomed into Greenville with open arms, something David will always be grateful for. Now, Methodical has three different locations — Commons, Flagship and downtown — and David and his team hope to expand even further in the coming years.

One of the most unique elements of Methodical is not the exquisite coffee or the way they roast their own beans but their commitment to service.

“I had a friend tell me what he loves about Methodical is that we sell time,” David recalled. His shops are designed for people to spend time in, and the way their business has thrived is a testament to how well they treat those who walk in the door. “It really means so much to work with people who care deeply about one another and the work they are doing,” customer ambassador Madison Cooley said.

A trip to Methodical is good for the eyes, taste buds and spirit. What David Baker and his partners have built from all of their experiences — including those at Clemson — is so unique.

“We’ve created an atmosphere where people want to connect, whether it’s a date, business meeting or catching up with an old friend,” he said. “We’ve created a space where you can share your most valuable resource: time. I think that’s really special.”