The Grind: 7 Brew Coffee Hustles to Spread Warmth Even During Cooler Weather
drive-thru only chain embraces working in wintry chill
As the temperature drops and Wisconsin shifts into fall, Eau Claire's neighborhood “Brewistas” are preparing for the upcoming winter weather.
Unlike the other coffee shops that call the Chippewa Valley home, 7 Brew strives to bring coffee directly to you all year round, so you never have to leave the comfortable warmth of your car. When the weather gets chilly the staff are stationed in heated huts, supplied with protective gear and hand warmers, and rotated regularly to make sure none of the team members are exposed to the cold for too long. Regardless of the elements, 7 Brew plans to stay open all day and year long at the Eau Claire location.
Of 7 Brew’s nearly 300 locations throughout the country, the local coffee stand is the only one within a roughly 200-mile radius and is the furthest north.
“Working at a drive-thru coffee shop in the winter is like being a superhero! We’re always there to warm up our customers and brighten their day,” Eau Claire store manager Tori Harmston said about the pros of working in the cold. Their customers provide contagious energy that keeps them running throughout the day, she said. Working the lanes allows them to connect with a wide range of people who come through the Eau Claire location, briefly interacting face-to-face with every single customer that drives through.
Of 7 Brew's nearly 300 locations throughout the country, the local coffee stand is the only one within a roughly 200-mile radius and is the furthest north. It opened in Eau Claire in September 2023.
The owners, Kayla Smith and Jonathon Lippincott, noted that the snow doesn’t have a significant impact on their business; their drive-thru formula allows them to run smoothly year-round. Despite climate conditions, serving customers and supporting their crew are their top priorities.
7 Brew Coffee, located at 2405 N. Clairemont Ave., is open seven days a week. Hours are Sunday-Thursday from 5:30am-10pm and Friday-Saturday from 5:30am-11pm.
Learn more about 7 Brew online.