Campus Coffee Shop Creates Community

Located at the heart of campus on the second floor of the Beam Library, The Brew is Oklahoma Christian University’s very own campus coffee shop. Many students favor the place as somewhere to grab a drink, hang out with friends, study or all three!

Senior Grant Dunham explained why he loves The Brew.

“It is hands down the best place to study on the entire campus. The atmosphere is so cozy and warm,” Dunham said. “I feel like I am at my grandma’s house.”

Dunham shared one of his favorite memories from his time at The Brew. 

“One day, when I was sitting down, enjoying a nice java chip frappé, a young man began to play on the piano nestled in the corner of The Brew,” Dunham said. “I stopped what I was doing, looked up and got lost in the music during a stressful time of semester tests. It was the most connected I have felt while being at The Brew.”

Incoming transfer Stone Smalls has found The Brew to be one of his favorite spots on campus.

“A lot of the conversations and fun times I have had in my limited time at this school have come from being at The Brew,” Smalls said. “I get to hang out with my friends and enjoy the aroma of freshly brewed coffee.” 

Although coffee is not his thing, Smalls said he loves the other drinks The Brew offers. 

“Coffee, in my opinion, is gross, so I was weary about going into The Brew for the first time. I figured I wouldn’t get anything,” Smalls said. “But when I saw they had a protein shake, I thought, ‘Why not?’ I loved it, and now every time I workout, I go and get one.”

Rick Odell, associate director of church relations, explained the role The Brew serves in student-teacher relations. 

“The Brew is the best place for meeting with people that is not a cold, dark office,” Odell said.

Sophomore Houston Goff is a member of the Chorale and Chamber choir and has a lot of early mornings where he needs a pick-me-up.

“When I wake up in the morning, knowing it’s going to be a long day, I get kind of stressed about what I am going to go through,” Goff said. “So, I head over to The Brew and get me a straight coffee.”

Goff said The Brew’s atmosphere is a great way to start your day. 

“It’s encouraging to get a fresh coffee and look around and see friends studying and talking and enjoying their time together,” Goff said. “It’s just a great place to be and get energized for the day.”

This year, The Brew is under new management. Gracie Vanlandingham, a young and ambitious entrepreneur, shared some of the changes she has implemented thus far.

“We now make coffee using beans roasted right here in Oklahoma City and offer locally sourced tea and housemade chai,” Vanlandingham said. “Along with new drinks and food items like parfaits and fruit cups, we are also importing bakery items from Harvey Bakery.”

Vanlandingham has big plans for the future.

“We are adding a stage to The Brew to be able to have karaoke nights and performances on campus in our very own place,” Vanlandingham said. “We also are creating a new website.”

Vanlandingham shared her favorite part of managing The Brew.

“Everyday is something new here. I love working with these students because they are so full of ideas and excitement about their future,” Vanlandingham said. “They are also just so fun to work alongside with and never fail to make me smile. It’s just such a fun and positive environment here.”

To keep up to date with The Brew’s upcoming events, follow them on Instagram @thebrewoc.