Sweet Palm Coffee opens on King St

On a busy Saturday morning in a new coffee shop on King St, Jonathan Roth was in his zone – preparing sandwiches, making drinks, and ensuring things were running smoothly. It’s as if he never left the kitchen to pursue a different career.

Jonathan and his wife Aylin have been thinking about opening a coffee shop for some time. They thought of doing it in Switzerland, where they lived for years. Miami was also an option, but after a short period there, they decided to move with their three little kids to a place they felt was more family friendly. They landed in Mount Pleasant in March and opened Sweet Palm Coffee last month at 471 King St.

Jonathan spent his early 20s in the culinary world. He worked at Michelin-star restaurants and five-star hotels. He attended the Culinary Institute of America and holds a certificate in hospitality management from the Canton of Geneva, Switzerland. In between, friends convinced him to leave the kitchen and pursue a career in real estate. Aylin holds a degree in finance and business management and has a background in New York’s fashion and beauty industry. She handles the business side and brings her design sensibility to how Sweet Palm looks and feels.

The Roths describe Sweet Palm as “American elevated with southern and European influence.” You’ll find traditional coffee, refreshing drinks, and specialty lattes like pistachio and banana pudding.

There are pastries and breakfast items including wraps, sandwiches and bowls. Here you’ll also find elevated items. The avocado toast, for example, features smashed lime avocado, za’atar, and pomegranate molasses on artisan multi-grain bread. The sauces and some sweets (like the tiramisu) are made in-house, and the beans are sourced from a local company.

Sweet Palm is open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Roths plan to introduce a larger menu as they settle into the rhythm of running the shop.