BECAUSE WE NOW HAVE A MILLION IN THE AREA >>>

Neighborhood: Fircrest

Address/Phone: 1039 Regents Blvd., 253.564.7338

Hours: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday

Noshing/Sipping: A few sandwiches, wraps and paninis, salads, assorted bakery items, box lunches. The breakfast sandwiches are tasty. All your favorite espresso drinks - as well as a few creative ones such as Mayan Mocha Mexican Monkey - are available with plenty of beverage options for the kiddies.

Standard Cup o' Joe: $1.86 bottomless

Bean Source: Better than fair-trade organic coffee from Dillanos Coffee Roasters in Sumner.

Crowd: Regulars including Fircrest Police, MILFs and teens zoned in on Sudoku

Soundtrack: James Blunt, Taylor Swift and ilk.

Bonus Points: Energy efficient operation and use of recycled materials, delivery service, free WiFi, conference room with dry erase board, and Friday night open mic 7-9 p.m.

The House:

Fans of the quiet coffeehouse will appreciate the homey serenity of The Greener Bean - provided, of course, that they manage to find the joint. Set back off of Regents Boulevard behind a building, the cafe sits in the middle of a strip mall. You might have to dodge jumping exercise students from Innovative Fitness a couple storefronts down.

A mix-match of tables and chairs are scattered about the largish room with couches back in the "library" section. Lighting and local art emit it a slight modern feel. And the sliding barn-like door to the conference room is cool. An energy efficient operation and use of recycled materials are a way of life at The Greener Bean.

The Greener Bean ain't fancy, but its comfortably lazy feel encourages strident leisure.