Just 4 months ago, 7 Brew opened its first location in Newport News right off of Mercury Blvd. This new drive-thru only coffee shop has taken the 757 by storm and become an overnight sensation, raking in customers left and right. 
“7 Brew brings something completely different than all of the other coffee shops,” Emma Ezell, the Newport News store manager, stated. “We’re a drive thru only experience, [and we] would like to think of it as an anti-cafe. We play music, we get really interactive with our customers, and we provide a way larger menu than most other coffee shops do.”
With over 100 locations nationwide, 7 Brew chose Newport News as its debut 757 location. Featuring a diverse range of beverages (energy drinks, fizzes, smoothies, teas, milkshakes and of course, coffee!), 7 Brew stands out. Beside its impressive menu, the brand prides itself on providing a wonderful customer experience. Their motto is ¨Cultivating Kindness,¨ and baristas go above and beyond to foster joy, creating a fun and upbeat environment.
Each stand within the company is ranked, and the 7 Brew in this area has proudly secured a place among the top ten, showcasing an outstanding performance. What a way to make an entrance!
¨7 Brew is expanding a lot in general right now and the Newport News area is an open market,¨ Ezell shared. “We do have lovely Starbucks and a few Dunkin’ Donuts here and there…, but 7 Brew brings something completely different than all of those.¨
Their dedication to exceptional customer service and inviting atmosphere suggests that this trend of success is not going to slow down anytime soon. While business is now booming, the 7 Brew team initially faced resistance from locals.
¨We actually had a Google review in the beginning that first said that the Newport News area was not the place for this, that this is not the kind of energy that the people of Newport News wanted or created on their own,” Ezell revealed.
It did not take long for the staff of 7 Brew to disprove the skeptics by delivering memorable coffee experiences with smiles on their faces. People of many different ages come from all around to taste what 7 Brew has to offer. The shop is especially popular among police officers, military and shipyard workers, who work in the vicinity.
¨A lot of [individuals from the] shipyards …come through in the morning [when] getting off or coming into work,¨ Aubrey Pierce, the senior shift lead, said. ¨We also have a lot of military…[who] have become accustomed to a life of work, home sleep, repeat, and we’ve kind of shown that even in grabbing your coffee, you can add something in that, and you know, leave feeling a little better.¨
Before the grand opening, employees played a vital role in making sure the rising company grabbed everyone’s attention.
¨We spent probably about a week before the opening going out and handing out flyers, telling people what 7 Brew was about,¨ Ezell stated.
While it was probably a little overwhelming and seemed a little silly, it completely hit the mark and attracted hundreds of customers just within the 1st day. It definitely took the employees by surprise by the amount of customers they had signed up for their loyalty program just in the first few hours. Those numbers ranged from around 50-100. The shop’s undeniable success in just a little over 4 months can definitely be attributed to an outstanding grassroots marketing strategy.
Starbucks definitely has its work cut out for them with 7 Brew in the mix. This just goes to show that even a few small acts of kindness can significantly impact a business’s connection with its community. 7 Brew´s mission sets them apart from other coffee shops. The shop and their employees are dedicated to spreading joy, one drink at a time. Who knows? You might just be the next customer to walk away with a smile on your face!
¨I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone leave without a smile on their face,¨ Ezell concluded.