The Weekender is a weekly newsletter, featuring an ever-changing cast of guest editors who bring their unique perspective and experiences. There is no better lens for exploring the South than through its distinctive people.
MARCO SUAREZ BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER and makes experiences better. A designer, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Methodical Coffee, Suarez lives in Greenville, South Carolina. In the midst of a thriving design career working for companies like Mailchimp and Etsy, Suarez realized he wanted to build something that could be experienced in real life.
In 2015, that dream became real when he and his co-founders Will Shurtz and David Baker opened the first Methodical Coffee café in Greenville. Since then, they’ve grown Methodical into a nationally acclaimed coffee roaster and brand, with Methodical beans in national retailers and multiple café locations in Greenville and one opening later this year in Columbia.
As CEO and chief experience officer, Suarez stays busy managing Methodical’s brand and cafés. In his free time, he enjoys being with his family, being in nature, and being inspired by whatever creative pursuits catch his interest, from playing guitar to cooking.—Kathryn Davé
OPEN DIALOGUE »
What’s on your mind these days?
Whether I’m spending my time wisely. Am I making the most of it? And am I making the greatest impact I can? Or am I just busy? I’m in my 40s now, and I’m shocked by how fast life is going. Your mind/body is like a car: if you take care of it, it’ll take you anywhere you want to go. But if you push it too hard and neglect its maintenance, it’ll eventually break down. So, am I prioritizing my self-care without neglecting anything or anyone?
The balance is quite the challenge. I recall reading about a survey that was given to some well-aged folks asking them which period of their life was the most stressful and which period of their life felt the most meaningful—and the results were the same period of time. Stress management is a top concern for me right now, but I’m also trying to be aware that I’m living the moments I’ll probably look back on with the most fondness.
ADD TO CART »
What have you bought and loved lately?
Carl Blair was a Greenville-based artist. He passed away in 2018, but I was lucky enough to have visited his home for Open Studios many years ago and attended a few of his seminars. Recently he came to mind, so I started looking and was extremely excited to find [a piece] locally that I could afford.
LIKE A LOCAL »
Tell us a notable spot in your town that belongs in your vision of a great weekend.
I’m obviously a bit biased towards my coffee business, Methodical. My desire for Methodical is for it to serve our community well by being an inspiring backdrop for a good conversation or time alone. So it’s hard to not recommend going there. But beyond that, I’m very thankful to have Fork & Plough near me. It’s a fantastic neighborhood spot—consistently good and has a great vibe. If I ever find myself alone on a weekend at dinnertime, I’ll swing by there and sit at the bar. And of course, Clare’s Creamery is just next door. My family hits up Clare’s to share a banana split on the regular.
HOT TAKE »
Do you have an unpopular opinion you’re not afraid to claim?
The only unpopular opinion I’d be willing to publicly claim would be that pineapple belongs on pizza. It provides a brightness and complexity that should be respected. But other hot takes can be discussed in-person over coffee.
RISING STAR »
Which Southern artist, chef, musician, restaurant, writer, brand, destination, etc. are you most excited about or intrigued by right now?
I’m really impressed by Good Printed Things. Elizabeth Ramos is a good friend and the mastermind behind it. She’s also one of the founders of the Makers Collective and Indie Craft Parade. Good Printed Things is executed at a high level while being very approachable and locally focused. The projects she picks and the artists and writers she works with are exceptional. I’m excited to see how it evolves and what future projects are in the pipeline.
Ready to read and then ROAM!
Ahhh so honored to see my name here. Thank you Marco and thank you Blair!!