Bowens open downtown coffee shop

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Owners Frank and Cheryl Bowen cut the ribbon Thursday to officially open up their new Brewed Expressions coffee shop in downtown Van Wert.

The downtown shop is in addition to Brewed Expressions’ drive-through kiosk on South Washington Street and replaces its location on West Ervin Road.

Frankie Bowen, who manages the downtown location, noted that the shop will, of course, serve a variety of coffees, including lattes, espressos, and frappes, as well as soups, salads, sandwiches, desserts, and a full breakfast menu that includes waffles and breakfast sandwiches.

Hours are Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. The

Cheryl Bowen said her family had been discussing a downtown location for some time, noting that a number of people had said they would like to see another coffee shop locate downtown to replace Perks.

Dennis Cummings, who bought the building two years ago, also noted that surveys taken by Main Street Van Wert indicated that having a coffee shop downtown was what people wanted the most.

Cummings also talked about efforts to renovate the structure, which he said was “in a bad state” when he purchased it, with the back end of the building actually collapsed into the basement and the rest of the building needing some love and attention.

After spending the first year reconstructing the rear of the building, Cummings then stripped carpeting off the wood floor, which Frankie Bowen then refinished by hand. The traditional tin ceiling, which was badly bowed and dirty, was also refurbished, while a brick wall on the east side of the building was exposed and cleaned up to make the building more appealing to customers.

Cummings also complimented the Bowens on their efforts to renovate the building and prepare the shop for opening.

“They’ve been perfect to work with, I couldn’t ask for a better tenant,” Cummings said, adding that he has known the family for more than 30 years and hoped their business relationship would continue “for a long time”.

Thursday’s ribboncutting event was marred somewhat by the sound of jackhammers as work was being done on the pavement in front of the building where a bench was being installed.