The Dragon Brew: More than a Campus Hot Spot
Located within the middle of TU’s campus, the Dragon Brew stands as a beacon of warmth and familiarity amidst the call of creativity and drinks. Its presence isn't just about serving coffee; it's about creating a sense of community and providing a vibe for students, faculty, and staff at TU.
As I came in and observed over the course of several days, the ambiance and clientele of the Brew offer intriguing insights into the dynamics of this unique place, especially for how small the actual room of the Brew is. It's one of the few places on campus that most of the students/staff on campus go to purchase their product or at least from what I’ve seen over my time observing.
Entering the Brew, one is immediately enveloped in the rich aura of freshly brewed coffee. The atmosphere is vibrant yet relaxed, with colorful and creative decorations all over. The glass windows sit on one side of the room with the counter being larger so you feel you really get a connection with the workers because you can see them.The clientele of this “Starbucks” themed establishment is as diverse as the campus is. Students, adorned in attire ranging from casual hoodies to professional suits, congregate in small groups or as individuals, seeking that taste or energy before and after they go to class. Professors with papers in hand engage in scholarly discussions over steaming cups of coffee while the Brew is located next to or below a lot of professor offices. Some staff members go so often the workers start memorizing most of their orders.
Each person arrives at the Brew with a unique purpose. For some, it's a place of productivity to study. For others, it's a social hour as they have a certain relationship with the workers that they just come in to speak to each other for some time. That speaks to the hospitality of the workers at
the Brew, which is great. They give you a family-like feel and when purchasing the cups they put their drinks in include motivational quotes so everyone is getting an encouraging experience when coming to the Dragon Brew.
Courtesy of the Tiffin University Instagram account
What makes the Brew so special and significant to campus life is not just its convenient location on campus, but rather the sense of belonging it instills in its customers. It's not merely a place to grab a quick caffeine fix; it's a small atmosphere on campus that has a big volume of hospitality and genuine employees. The way they make their small venue feel bigger than what it is speaks a lot to who they are and what they want to accomplish to students and faculty. They even draw outsiders, as townies and students from the other university shop at the Brew.
In conclusion, the Dragon Brew serves as more than just a coffee shop. It's a microcosm of the academic community it serves. With its inviting atmosphere and diverse clientele, it provides a place where individuals from all walks of campus life, and outside, can come together often and experience a bright spot of campus.
