ASHLAND — Cars stretched around 7 Brew and onto U.S. 250 Monday morning as Ashland residents waited to try the city’s newest drive-thru coffee shop.
Baristas moved quickly between orders and customers picked up their free drinks from the new location at 729 U.S. 250, next to the new Culver’s.
The shop celebrated its Ashland grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by State Rep. Melanie Miller, Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce President Amy Daubenspeck and Ashland City Council members.
The Ashland location hired about 90 employees.
Store manager Courtney Magness said the team is energetic and focused on creating a positive experience for customers.
“They just want to make sure every day is a good experience,” Magness said.
A drive-thru built for speed
Unlike a traditional coffee shop, 7 Brew has no indoor seating. Customers order through the drive-thru and baristas work outside to take orders.
Magness said employees are cross-trained in every position and rotate through the outdoor ordering. The team rotates every 15 to 20 minutes during extreme heat, cold or rain.
7 Brew locations are pre-built. Zoning and site approvals determine where each building can be placed before the company transports it to the location.
“All the electrical wires are already built into it,” Magness said. “It did take over a month to do the concrete.”
The menu includes coffee, energy drinks, teas, smoothies and sodas, with customers able to customize their drinks.
Giving back
The grand opening included a $2,000 donation to the Ashland County Humane Society. The organization brought several adoptable pets to the event.
Community outreach is part of 7 Brew’s mission.
The company encourages local charities, sports teams and other organizations to reach out about fundraising opportunities.
One fundraiser gives a local organization 77 cents from every large drink sold during their fundraiser day.
“We love to be part of community outreach,” Magness said.
Free drinks and Jackpot Day
Customers can stop by the Ashland location Aug. 10 through Aug. 14 during designated hours for a free small drink.
Free drinks will be available from 8 to 9 a.m., noon to 1 p.m. and 5 to 6 p.m. each day.
Customers can also receive a free shirt with the purchase of a large drink this Saturday. The promotion runs from 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. while supplies last.
7 Brew also celebrates “Jackpot Day” on the seventh day of each month, when customers can receive promotional items like shirts, koozies and stickers with a purchase.
The Ashland location is open from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
The opening marked another addition to Ashland’s growing business community.
“We are always excited to see new businesses come into town,” Ashland City Council President Dennis Miller said.
