Hockey & coffee in Savannah, Georgia 🇺🇸
Ryan Semco is coffee director at the Australian-inspired Collins Quarter in Savannah, Georgia, and when he’s not managing the coffee program at multiple locations, he’s playing hockey with the Moon River Otters. And when he’s not doing either of those things, this is what Ryan likes to do for fun around Savannah…
Ryan Semco is coffee director at the Collins Quarter and plays hockey for the Moon River Otters. Photos courtesy of Collins Quarter
Filter: What do you like to do for fun around Savannah?
I will be honest, I have lived in Savannah off and on for about 9 years—still to this day my favorite thing to do in Savannah is to go to a local bar and get a nice drink to go and just walk around the city and take in how beautiful the city is and how much rich history there is on every corner of the city. This is also my go-to thing to tell visitors to do. You get a little better view of the city and let's be real, who doesn't like walking around with a drink in hand!
Filter: If a good friend came to visit, where would you be sure to take them?
First thing I am doing is getting them some good coffee at the Collins Quarter. From there Just like previously stated I am getting the party started with some drinks around the town and walking around enjoying the beautiful sites of Savannah. If it's hockey season you know dang well I will be taking you to a Savannah Ghost Pirates game. Other than that we are going to be drinking and eating our way through the day.
Filter: What stops are you making on your way through Savannah?
Out and about food... There are so many good ones but typically if I am eating and drinking it's always about the convenience versus the quality. Food I am typically always going to hit up Spudnik (Loaded potato bowls that are absolutely amazing, get the western with BBQ sauce and corn chips) Also on the list is a Savannah staple, Fancy Parker’s—yes it's a gas station but there is no where else you want to get chicken tenders at midnight 30. Another food spot on the list of eat and drinking away is Kay's Pizza, formally known as Sweet Melissa's, it is the primal definition of what you would want from a dollar slice spot up in NY. It's dirty and delicious.
Drink-wise I am always hitting up a few places but the main three are Savoy Society, Peregrin, and Bar Julian. You can [also] typically find me going over to Service Brewing Company or Two Tides.
Filter: What do you like to do to escape the city?
My escape is a little bit different then most, My escape from the hustle and bustle is going down to Lake Mayer on the south side of Savannah and getting a good skate in. I play ice and roller hockey and going down to the concrete rink and just getting a good skate in helps clear the mind of all the tourist craziness. Other than that I go out to Pooler, Georgia and enjoy a nice movie at the largest iMax in the USA.
Filter: What touristy things in Savannah are worth the hype?
Honestly the best well-known touristy thing that lives up to the hype and will forever be top-tier is being able to get alcohol in a to-go cup and walk around the city.
Filter: Where are your favorite hidden gems there?
Honestly Forsyth Park is amazing but Lake Mayer and Daffin Park offer so much more if you are willing to take the trip to them. Other than that the biggest hidden gem here in Savannah is a little spot called Spudnik, space-aged loaded baked potato spot nestled in a tiny spot on the main strip here in Savannah's Historic Downtown.
Filter: What's one other coffee shop around there that you really admire in Savannah?
I am a little biased and I am always going to recommend the Collins Quarter on Bull Street or the Collins Quarter at Forsyth. Otherwise I am sending people over to Origin Coffee Bar. I am friends with the owner of Origin and they do a lot of great things with roasting here in Savannah. Typically doing a lot more lighter developmental style roasts with a lot of acidic fruit bombs. They are doing some cool things over there.
Filter: What makes Savannah feel like home to you?
I will be honest Savannah has never really felt like home to me but thankfully over the last year with the ECHL hockey team coming to Savannah it has started becoming a city that I can like and tolerate. Being able to play hockey and have a good community of people makes the city a better place.
Filter: How did you end up in the Savannah coffee scene?
I have been in the coffee industry about 9 years now and actually started my barista coffee life here at the Collins Quarter. I started my coffee journey at Whole Foods Market here in Savannah as the coffee buyer and started learning about coffee on my own by doing research online while my wife was in college, staying up till midnight and later to learn as much as I could while she was up late with homework.
From there I knew that I needed some actual experience so I started working with PERC Coffee Roaster, a local Savannah roaster. I did a lot of packaging and wholesale work for them. I soon realized that I needed more actual barista knowledge so I applied to work at Collins Quarter. They wanted a barista with 2 years experience and I had 0, so I told Anthony, the owner, "What do you have to lose? If I suck at the job just fire me." He loved that response and I ended up working here for a year. After that I went down to Florida and helped open up Foxtail Coffee Co. After that I moved back up to Savannah to help with the remodeling of Mirabelle Cafe until I found myself back at the Collins Quarter, where I should be.
Filter: Can you share about your role at Collins Quarter?
My role here at the Collins Quarter, or our parent company's name Southern Cross Hospitality, is coffee director. My main job is to manage the baristas between three different locations and manage coffee programs between all locations. Alongside normal day-to-day management I am also the key person for all coffee quality control and recipe building for all drinks.
Filter: If you could move to any place in the world just for the coffee scene, where would you move and why?
New York. All day every day. The main reason is a little shop called Round K by Sol—literally my favorite coffee shop. My answer would only change if we were talking about me opening a shop. If that is the case I would say Seoul, Korea. I have always wanted to open up a coffee shop in both New York City and Seoul, Korea. The coffee culture in both cities fascinates me so much.
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The Collins Quarter operates 2 cafes in Savannah, Georgia.
Collins Quarter on Bull Street
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