Community Highlights: Meet Natalie Guenther of BREW coffee bar

Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Guenther.

Natalie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
A few years back I had just moved to Toledo after graduating college at U of M. I had no clue what was next, but I loved working as a barista during school, so I visited all the local coffee shops. BREW was my favorite. It had a cozy, welcoming atmosphere, the baristas were laughing & enjoying themselves, and my banana pancake latte was incredible. I got the manager’s email and asked for a job, even though they weren’t hiring. Then only two weeks into my training, the manager let me know she put my name to the owners to be the next manager – totally caught me off guard. I said yes a week later, then become BREW’s first operations manager for two years. This became my first sense of community and belonging in Toledo, and even when I moved on to being a customer, I couldn’t stop coming back. Since then, I became a consultant for emerging food & beverage businesses, specializing in the coffee industry. Now I’m at the NOCK – Northwest Ohio Cooperative Kitchen, which provides a space and services geared towards regional food businesses. From then until now, I have gained a true inside look to the workings of a successful food business, even more so, of a successful business owner. My passion for coffee and small business has only solidified through the amazing relationships I’ve built in Toledo. I kept finding myself drawing up plans and ideas for my own business, and even worked with my wife to come up with a name: M & N Provisions. We couldn’t stop talking about all our business ideas, and even being in med school now, Mak kept saying, “You could do this tomorrow, you’re ready.” So the next time I talked to Jen, the previous owner, I said – Call me whenever you’re looking to sell BREW, because I’d be very interested. We immediately talked another two hours, and a few short months later, here we are! M & N Provisions, LLC now owns BREW coffee bar.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Ask me in a few months! Right now, we’re really only a few weeks in. There’s been some equipment quirks, a hefty learning curve, but nothing unexpected. I will say, it’s foodservice, so there is always something. Nothing I haven’t known the past ten years, though.

Getting to this point has been surprisingly smooth. I have to thank my support system for that. I have my wife Mak, who somehow handles medical school and still finds time to jump behind the bar when needed and create an entirely new food menu, to name a couple things. The BREW crew, especially my managers Kara and Josie, have handled the transition flawlessly. It’s been a great team effort.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about BREW coffee bar?
I am the new owner of BREW coffee bar as of April this year, along with my wife Mak. This is a ten-year coffee shop located right on UT campus. We value supporting other local businesses and offer a comfortable, community-oriented atmosphere. We’re located right between campus, Old Orchard, and Ottawa Hills. Many of our regular customers walk to our shop, or hike the university trail with their latte in hand. Each month, we host SHOP419: a mini marketplace showcasing a variety of local vendors and organizations. This occurs on the 2nd Sunday of the month between 10-2. We have a seasonal, rotating drink menu, with corresponding local baked goods by Sad Snacks and Logan Paige Bakery. Our coffee is all sourced locally as well: Black Diesel, Flying Rhino, and Tap Culture. We pay homage to the ten-year standing of BREW through our Legacy Drinks: seasonal drinks that sold so well, we kept them on the permanent menu! The brand is always evolving. Recently, we began selling bottled drinks, both in-store and to other shops, retailers, gyms, spas, & event spaces! We are here to amplify our community, be a second home to so many, and serve delicious drinks & food.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My advice would be, listen to yourself, but don’t be afraid to rely on other people too. I am so proud for following my passions in life, rather than doing the straightforward career path or taking the steps I was “supposed” to take. The creativity, work ethic, and dedication I see in myself now simply wouldn’t have come out otherwise. At the same time, if I waited until I felt 100% ready, I never would have gone anywhere at all. I spent years putting myself out there. making connections with those I aspired to be like, learning from experience, and building working relationships with those around me. I have found a fantastic, supportive community in Toledo in only a few short years. They have given me the confidence to try. I’m still learning, and that’s okay. I’m having a great time doing it, because it’s what I want to do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://brewtoledo.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brewtoledo/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brewtoledo
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brew-coffee-bar/?viewAsMember=true