*Brewsters on the Boulevard offers a comfortable setting for those who enjoy artisan coffee and drinks.*

*Chuck Taramona and Stacei Greek enjoy serving artisan coffee and tea to the Four States Area.*

Brewsters on the Boulevard is exactly what you’d want from a locally-owned coffee shop, and at the same time, it’s completely different and better than what you’d expect. It is exactly what Texarkana has needed for a long, long time.

Brewsters has a cozy, yet eclectic vibe. The staff greets customers with a friendly smile and a warm word; the décor is interesting without trying too hard, and seating is varied and plentiful. The clientele is young, and old, and in between, unassuming and boisterous. Really, this coffee shop is everything, all at once.

On a random Thursday afternoon, there are several groups scattered around the spacious shop. A couple of college-aged kids, with laptops and cell phones in hand sipping hot tea and munching on scones, are in the corner, and a business meeting is happening in the center of the room with participants enjoying a cold bottle of water and shuffling papers back and forth. The baristas are steadily serving a stream of customers who are in and out in quick fashion, both through the front doors and through the drive-thru. There’s an overwhelming cheerful attitude hanging in the air.

Brewsters on the Boulevard is owned and operated by City Church, located right next door. Lead Pastor, Dr. Robert H. McCarver, explains the specific goals of the coffee shop. “We pray that the DNA of Brewsters is such that no one is shocked when they find out it is affiliated with City Church,” he said. “There are around 30 Bibles buried under the concrete floor, so when people enter, they know it is different. All the walls have prayers and Bible verses under the sheetrock, written by members of City Church.”

The coffee shop manager is Chuck Taramona, a lifelong Texas resident who has worked at many coffee shops before landing at Brewsters. “I started working in coffee shops when I was 18,” she said. “I fell in love with this industry immediately. I’ve been with Brewsters for over a year now, and I love it! Being around and getting to meet the most interesting people every day has been a big part of why I love this job.”

Chuck worked in Mt. Pleasant at a downtown coffee shop before that. “Not only do I get to do what I love, but I get to do it in one of the best environments I can think of,” she said. “Coming to Texarkana and working for Brewsters on the Boulevard and City Church has been such a blessing in my life.”

Dr. McCarver speaks of the intentions of City Church as it relates to Brewsters on the Boulevard. “We hope and pray to be a haven of hope in a culture that is losing hope,” he said. “We hope and pray to be a place of conversation in a society that has lost that gift, and a point of direction for those who have lost their way. We are unapologetically who we are—a well to gather around when no one else will meet you there.”

Brewsters on the Boulevard does not sell coffee to make money, and it isn’t the goal of City Church to profit off the coffee shop. “We give all profits away,” Dr. McCarver said. “We are nonprofit. Monies made from every cup of coffee are used locally, nationally, and worldwide to help and serve others.”

City Church has sent more than 10 mission teams to Central America while partnering with Living Water. “While you drink our coffee, others are drinking clean water because of you,” Dr. McCarver said. “We have funded 12 water wells, and one as recently as this year. Future goals are to source coffee suppliers that bypass the corrupt systems and actually benefit local growers and communities.”

There are big plans to keep adding to what Brewsters offers patrons, but as with most everything, the pandemic has put a damper on plans for the establishment. “Part of our dreams is a night of music each week,” Dr. McCarver said. “Events of this year have kind of put that on hold, but will allow us in the future to create a safe place for people to gather, no matter who they are.”

Chuck said one of the most heartwarming parts of managing the coffee shop was watching the community’s response to the pandemic. “We couldn’t believe how much love that was poured out from our community when we had our free drinks for First Responders during the first COVID outbreak,” she said. “We started a special where each First Responder was given one free drink, but when the community heard about it, multiple people donated their money to help support the cause. It was truly amazing!”

There’s no doubt Brewsters will keep growing in popularity and variety, and with their pure motives and mission, Texarkana will only reap more and more benefits from a centrally-located, locally-owned and -operated coffee house bringing artisan coffee to the Four States Area.

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A Haven of Hope