Written by Erin Marshall and Emma Jones<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the last few weeks, Searcy has seen some changes to several coffee shops around town.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Sept. 30, Nova Joe\u2019s announced via Instagram that their Searcy location would be closing after being approached to sell by 7 Brew, another drive-thru coffee company. In the post, Nova Joe\u2019s cited challenges in making their store concept of producing both coffee and chicken work in a small building. The Batesville, Arkansas, based company came to Searcy in June 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Senior Nick DeLape\u00f1a, who worked as a shift manager at the Searcy Nova Joe\u2019s, said employees were not given much warning of the store\u2019s closing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe heard from 7 Brew\u2019s announcement that they had bought it out [before] we heard from the owner,\u201d DeLape\u00f1a said. \u201cWe got a call the day we closed that four hours later \u2026 we needed to close up shop for good. The store manager from Batesville came [the next day] to pick up all the syrups and the chicken and all the equipment we had to bring back to Batesville. They cleaned up shop in like 36 hours.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gift cards and rewards points can still be used at Nova Joe\u2019s in Batesville, according to the company\u2019s post. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
7 Brew, which is based out of northwest Arkansas, will be occupying the building on Race Avenue where Nova Joe\u2019s was located. 7 Brew\u2019s menu includes seven signature coffees, energy drinks, shakes, smoothies and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhile we are grateful for Nova Joe\u2019s service in Searcy, we\u2019re thrilled to be further expanding our footprint in the Little Rock market,\u201d Drew Ritger, COO and director of franchising at 7 Brew, said in a Sept. 29 press release from the company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The store is scheduled to open in early 2023 and will feature a double-lane drive-thru and outdoor seating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Senior Emma Kate Horton, a native of northwest Arkansas, said she is excited for 7 Brew to come to Searcy, as it is her favorite place to get coffee at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI was in complete shock [when I learned] that 7 Brew was coming to Searcy,\u201d Horton said. \u201cI think the Searcy community will like 7 Brew because it is a super fast, cheaper option of coffee and other treats that other shops in town haven\u2019t been able to give to the community.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
7 Brew will be hiring over 40 employees for its Searcy location in the coming months. For more information about hiring, contact 7 Brew at www.7brew.com.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In other coffee news, Imago Dei, a coffee shop located inside Fellowship Bible Church on Beebe Capps, opened a new drive-thru location on Oct. 10. The main store opened in July 2021 with the intent to bring big-city-style coffee to Searcy, and the owners began working on the drive-thru in January 2022. Matt Kiefer, co-owner of Imago Dei, said the shop’s mission is to provide whole-bean coffee for churches. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe want to generate enough green purchasing power to offer farmers nonprofit microloans in African regions and empower the future of coffee farming,\u201d Kiefer said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Senior Mary Kathryn Asencio said she thinks the drive-thru\u2019s location being close to both Harding\u2019s campus and the entrance to Highway 67 makes it convenient for different customers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEveryone I have spoken to has been really excited about having the drive-thru option,\u201d Asencio said. \u201cMultiple customers told me they were particularly excited to grab coffee on the way to work.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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