Brenen's Coffee & Deli

Ohio University offers many out of the ordinary establishments, including its wide selection of one of the kind coffee shops; one in particular is Brenen's. Together, we visited Brenen's Coffee & Deli on Court Street. We've had the opportunity to visit this comfortably pleasing coffee shop on many occasions. From the outside, it is definitely apparent that this shop carries a tranquil and relaxing demeanor. Chic metal framed tables and chairs line the sidewalk for guests that prefer a more outdoorsy feeling during their stay. A chalkboard outside allows the customers to view daily specials, events, and in this specific case it is welcoming parents of Ohio University students. The coffee shop itself is split into two sections, one side specially for coffee and another side for the deli. On the inside, the coffee shop offers spacious sitting where students, professors, and townspeople are able take a break from school or their day to enjoy a cup of coffee or one of their delicious assortment of sandwiches. We believe that it is specifically designed this way to offer an atmosphere that suites all parties. By allowing the customers to have options, it is a win-win situation for both Brenen's and the customers. Unlike the typical coffee shops in Athens, you don't usually see people in Brenen's on laptops or studying their books. Not saying that it never happens, but it tends to be more of a get away to take a break kind of place. Considering it's location is off of campus, students find it more helpful to study closer to campus rather than uptown.

In the shop, there is a diverse group of people present every single day. It is a place where everyone can feel welcome and enjoy what it has to offer. Everyone from students, professors, parents, and people from the Athen's community are always seen present in this coffee shop. The reason for this coffee shop attracting   such diverse customers is its perfect location between uptown and campus, its unique separate deli section, and its mod style setup. All types of people are able to feel a sense of relaxation and peacefulness. These reasons offer distinct characteristics to this business. In this particular setting, the customers are calm and trying to either enjoy the company of another individual or by themselves. Customers are relaxed and composed. This coffee shop rarely experiences boisterous people being loud and obnoxious. It has established a reputation of being a quiet and an enjoyable location to get away with your friends or to work on school related projects.

For the community, this coffee shop offers not only business, but a place for people to go and experience a lighthearted and welcoming establishment. Considering Athens is a poverty ridden town, this coffee shop, which doesn't serve as a chain restaurant, brings in a great amount of business to the local community. It's a small business that is owned by local people which allows for the profits to be kept within the town. Aside from the outrageous bars and the negativity they bring, the coffee shop lets people see a different aspect of the town. When people travel through Athens and see a local coffee shop versus a bar, they can interpret a down-to-earth vibe. You can tell this coffee shop fulfills the communities needs because it is still thriving after all of these years. It stays true to the real identity of Athens and what the people really want it to be perceived as in this college town.

This coffee shop proves that it is not only bars that survive in this college town. It shows that students, professors, and townspeople favor places like Brenen's just as much as the other establishments. Also, Brenen's shows that people can enjoy local restaurants instead of everyday chain food restaurants and sit ins. A place like Brenen's is a great place to escape and enjoy a cup of coffee or a delicious sandwich.