Bent Tree Coffee Roasters is a coffee shop located in the downtown area of Kent, OH. It is a small business that has had its doors open for the last 7 year and has been steadily growing ever since. Locally owned and operated, Bent Tree even roasts it’s coffee beans in-store and in their warehouse located about 15 minutes from their main store. They have recently struck a deal with Kent State University so that their product and merchandise are sold in various locations like the Student Center, Eastway Center, Schwartz Center and various others on campus. The store manager, Brenna Rettberg, says their business has taken off since the deal was brokered as a lot more students at the university are more aware of their brand. She has a lot of experience as a barista since she has worked as a one for 4 years, 2 years at Starbucks and 2 years at Bent Tree. When asked about the difference in work cultures, a large corporation versus a small business, she says she really appreciates the craftsmanship and passion for coffee that Bent Tree and all it’s employees exude. Being a smaller business, they have the ability to roast coffee almost every day, giving it’s customer’s a truly fresh cup of joe. This emphasis on quality has let Bent Tree develop a loyal and regular customer base. Customers seem to know all the barista and other customers too. After talking to a few of them, they all seem to really value the overall atmosphere in the downtown store and the fresh taste of their coffee. Some customers come in just to grab a quick cup of coffee while others sit in the store to hang out with friends, get some work done or even just to enjoy their coffee in the beautiful shop. One if the employees, Elizabeth Fox, describes the overall vibe as “cool and a little hipster”. She really enjoys working their and describes the customer base as a “close knit family”.

Meredith Jones laughs as she explores the Pitti Palace in Florence, Italy.

Fashion Students gather outside the Fashion Museum before the opening of the new exhibit in Kent, OH.

The Present

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