New cup o’ joe

By MARK OLEJNICZAK

December 08, 2006 08:21 pm

— A new coffee house and bistro is coming to the Anderson University district to provide some diverse options for residents and students alike.
Brent Brandon is looking to fulfill a dream of running his own business with Brandon’s Coffee House & Bistro, 1805 East University Blvd.
He has stepped away from a successful career in banking that spanned over 20 years. He served as vice president and head of marketing at First Merchants Trust Company.
Brandon is aware of the extensive risk of opening his own business, but mentions he has had a true entrepreneurial spirit for several years and wanted this opportunity.
“I have driven by the building many times when it was empty and thought to myself, ‘it is just a magnificent facility I must find a way to put it to use,’” Brandon said.
Through lots of research and organizing a business plan, Brandon learned that coffee is really a booming industry and other businesses established in the coffee industry are supportive of each other to succeed.
As he spent many hours with the help of friends and family making some adjustments to the building, he has had the opportunity to interact with local residents and has received a very positive reception just through the renovation process. 
“The feedback has been great,” Brandon said. “I have had encouragement from all different areas from both students and local residents that are thankful we are opening.”
Brandon feels his new business is a great fit for local residents and AU students. He believes the AU campus dynamic is changing and the campus is moving further out toward his coffee house.
For that reason, Brandon is confident his new venture will provide a viable option for students throughout the week or on weekends.
“Students can use Brandon’s to reconnect before starting back for another week at school,” Brandon mentions. “We can also become an extension of the campus with the wireless Internet that will be available.”
One of the main goals is to have a healthy balance with his clientele. During the day, he believes it will be a great place for AU professors, business people, local Andersonians or members of the Church of God to meet for breakfast or lunch.
Brandon said his menu will feature muffins, cookies, bagels, biscuits, and breakfast sandwiches. During lunch hours there will three or four different soups available, deli type sandwiches, fresh salads and he has plans to do a weekly special.
Brandon’s will be offering a half blend with a decaffeinated version also available. An additional blend will be available daily from different geographic regions of the world such as South America, Asia and Africa.
Initially a dinner menu won’t be offered but the plan calls for upscale desserts with specialty cheesecakes to be available. Brandon said the evening hours will be ideal for meeting with friends or watching television shows on one of the high definition televisions, while relaxing on one of the coffee house’s leather sofas.
In the near future, Brandon is looking into having television-show theme nights to provide an alternative.
Linda Dawson, deputy director of economic development for Anderson, feels Brandon’s is a win/win for Anderson University students and the local community.
“Every university needs a good coffee shop,” Dawson said. “I am real excited about the opening of Brandon’s Coffee House as it provides more opportunities for the students for employment. It also gives residents a great gathering place for a snack, cup of coffee and some good conversation.”
Brandon Coffee House & Bistro is aiming to open Dec. 17 and the business hours will be Sunday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 6 a.m. to midnight.

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