On Monday, May 4, Arkansas-based coffee chain 7 Brew officially opened a new location in Starkville at 116 Highway 12, in front of Ace Hardware.
The grand opening comes after several months of construction, preparations and employee training. The construction of the location was officially confirmed by the Commercial Dispatch in November.
Since opening, lines for the drive-thru coffee shop have consistently been backed up into three separate lanes throughout the Ace Hardware parking lot and even into Highway 12 as residents flock to the new location.
Macee Strickland, an employee at the Oxford 7 Brew and a trainer for the Starkville location, said that the community has been showing out in full force during community hours for opening week.
“Our coffee, our [energy drinks], we have the widest selection of anything that you could probably get anywhere,” Strickland said. “It’s super popular. Everyone loves it.”
The official website for 7 Brew advertises over 20,000 drink combinations, with customization options including the amount of espresso or energy shots, flavors, sweetness levels, milk choice, toppings and drizzles.
The chain currently operates in 37 states and was originally founded in Arkansas in 2017. Since opening, they have introduced additional drink options such as energy drinks, lemonades and milkshakes. Across the country, they are known for fast, personable and energetic customer service. Unlike most coffee chains, 7 Brew is drive-thru or walk-up only, with no indoor seating available.
The 7 Brew in Starkville is currently operating with trainers from other 7 Brew locations and with Starkville trainees, working together through the long customer lines.
When a customer pulls into the line at 7 Brew, a barista with an iPad will take their order and payment. As a customer pulls to the front of the line, they will be split into two separate lanes. At the front, there are designated baristas handing out drinks and straws while another crew works to prepare them inside.
Students at Mississippi State University have been particularly welcoming of the 7 Brew.
Julia Crooks, a freshman animal and dairy science major, and Ashlan Ballard, a junior psychology major, said that they first went to 7 Brew on May 4, but they were already going again on May 5 to try more drinks.
“Yesterday, I got the funnel cake macchiato,” Crooks said.
For the first week, 7 Brew is offering free drinks during certain hours, and they will give out free t-shirts on Saturday, May 9. They also have a rewards program that customers can join.
Joseph Henderson, a rising junior industrial engineering major at MSU and a 7 Brew barista, said that working at the stand has been enjoyable so far.
“I love it, it’s so much fun,” Henderson said. “Really, for me, my favorite part is working on iPads because you’re able to just go out and, like, talk to people for the whole time, and I love talking to people.”
Henderson said he hopes students continue coming to 7 Brew throughout the summer.
“New students should definitely come to 7 Brew because we have the best drinks on earth.”
