Arrelious Benn has seen not only the inside of football stadiums in cities across the country but also coffee shops during his eight-year NFL career.
The former Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver said he and his wife, Mariel, have “always had a passion for coffee.” Hers began as a child in the Dominican Republic where coffee is a part of life, she said.
In his NFL off-seasons, Arrelious traveled to the University of Miami to earn his Master of Business Administration degree.
“I knew I can’t play football forever,” said Benn, who retired in 2017. “I was always trying to learn outside of my craft with football. And I knew I wanted to open up a business.”
The couple decided to open Social House Coffee at 4204 Herschel St. in Avondale. It will open around the third week of February, according to WJCT News partner the Jacksonville Daily Record.
Social House will emphasize coffee and also serve loose leaf tea and pastries. There won’t be any “crazy” drinks and customers always will be able to taste the coffee, Mariel Benn said.
An expanded version of this story is at JaxDailyRecord.com.
