their daughter, Regina Zook
A good news story always lifts my spirits and so does a visit to Crema Brew! Crema Brew is the newest coffee shop in town!
They have great coffee and delicious homemade food, but it’s so much more! It’s become a gathering place! The other day, I had an appointment with Crema Brew owners, Donovan, Roxanne, and their daughter, Regina Zook. During my first visit, they had just opened, and I felt something special happening. So, I scheduled an appointment with them to learn more about their “new hot spot” in Five Points. I showed up early to enjoy some alone time and admire the unique characteristics and décor. There was a distinct chemistry as I watched the customers interact with each other and the owners.
Since opening in February 2019, their business has been non-stop! I believe they’ve sparked something distinct in bringing this old building back to life and uniting our community!
Opening a coffeehouse has been a dream for Donovan, Roxanne, and daughter, Regina Zook. Like a lot of us, they’re not from here, but fell in love with New Bern after visiting a place that they’d never been to. Donovan researched the demographics, economic growth, and all the details but he wanted to know what locals felt. So, they asked people on the streets, “Why should we consider moving here?” The common response was, “The people are very friendly”. They are originally from Oregon and moved here after living in Florida for eleven years.
When I asked why they opened in the Five Points area, Regina said, “That’s really where our heart is; we want to bring New Bern together and not have the separation. We want to bring everyone together.”
While researching for the perfect location, Donovan said, “When we looked at this building, we were drawn to the architectural design and wanted to discover who the owner was.” Roxanne remarked, “It had been sitting empty for a number of years and was in very sad shape. A lot of money and hard work were put into it.” They’ve been working around-the-clock for the past year trying to make their dream a reality. Donovan quit his job and dedicated all his time restoring it.
Donovan and Roxanne have experience in the coffee and food industry: Donovan worked at Starbucks and Roxanne worked at the Ghent Sandwich Shop. Donovan said, “Our objective is to give full attention to our customers.” Their customer service is terrific and it’s well worth a short wait!
The Zook family’s passion is their driving force! Regina really wants to be there full-time for her parents, but she has a second job as an x-ray technologist. She said, “It works pretty smooth when all three of us are here because Mom does the baking all day. On the days that I can’t be there, Mom’s helping Dad run the shop and then she’s baking all evening.”
People are embracing Crema Brew as their own! Roxanne gratefully said, “A customer donated the cribbage board that was a gift to her when she was 16 from her Dad. The other day, she came in with her Dad (aided by a walker) and delivered it to us.” They were surprised and overwhelmed by the customers’ compassion as it was a special family heirloom. Another customer donated an antique coffee can. This is one reason why I say this is a unique and special place. When people care this much, it really shows how Crema Brew is much more than a coffee shop. It’s a gathering place and an example for other businesses to embrace their concepts and support them.
You’ll notice a journal on one of the tables for people to comment in. And they are! Roxanne came up with the idea and when I asked about it, she said, “Someone wrote: ‘Traveled here from Utah, been road tripping across the USA for 9 weeks and stopped in here’. That’s really cool as you never know who will come in the door.” The journal is yet another fun idea to engage their customers!
While waiting for our meeting, I noticed a mother and daughter enjoying a game of chess. They were hanging out and having fun. When I brought this up, Roxanne told me, “What’s interesting is that people have said, ‘I’m not on my phone, I’m talking to the people in line with me, we’re becoming friends.’ That’s not because they’re mulling over having to wait a little bit, they’re enjoying each other.”
Although they’re constantly working, they still have future ambitions of creating an outdoor experience in front of the shop with tables, chairs, umbrellas, a bike rack, and doggie station. Regina also mentioned that it would be wonderful if they could eventually “restore the back of the building to include a roaster, grand piano, and have a big place to hang out.” Knowing the power of what Roxanne, Donovan, and Regina have already done, I believe anything is possible.
They offer terrific gourmet coffee from Java Estate Roastery, a local North Carolina company. Roxanne made a point to say, “We really appreciate them, their amazing delivery services and coffee supplies. They have been very supportive.”
Crema Brew also offers delicious food: homemade cinnamon rolls, sandwiches, soups, and desserts!
I asked how they felt about the outpouring of community support and Regina humbly replied, “We are blown away by the immediate and continued support of the community.” Roxanne could only explain it as “totally a God thing, that’s all we can say.”
Take a break and experience Crema Brew! Disconnect from technology by playing a game (chess, checkers, cribbage, and/or cards), read a book, reflect and enjoy the ambience, and/or meet new people!
It’s also a terrific place to overcome writers block!
Businesses and non-profits are branching out to the Five Points area. It would be wonderful to see Five Points and the Uptown New Bern area thriving like it did back in the day! Let’s come together and support everyone to include Downtown, Uptown, and the Greater New Bern area!
Crema Brew is located at 914 Broad St. or give them a call at 252-288-5381 for more information!
Wendy Card