Written by: Emma Rodriguez
Morning Brew Co., a coffee shop located in Cambridge Square, has quickly become a popular spot for community life in Collegedale. Opened just three months ago, owner Denis Liskevich wants the coffee shop to be more than just a place to grab your morning hot drink.
“It’s an atmosphere and space where people can come sit, enjoy a cup of coffee and catch up with friends and family,” Liskevich said.
Liskevich’s dream for Morning Brew Co. was sparked during his time as a student in Portland, Oregon, where he saw how coffee shops became places of community and connection.
“Morning Brew Co. started with a dream to create a space for friends and family to gather and share memories,” Liskevich said. “I remember all of my favorite memories either started or ended with a coffee shop, and I’ve been chasing to repeat those memories for the amazing community right here in Ooltewah/Collegedale.”
Before opening its new location in Cambridge Square this summer, Morning Brew Co. started as a coffee cart that catered for events and weddings.
The positive response from the community at these events paved the way for the shop’s permanent location in Cambridge Square. Morning Brew Co. also ran a pop-up coffee bar at the Collegedale Commons last fall, according to a previous Accent article.
“We strive to provide high-quality specialty coffee, pastries and food for every customer above all else,” Liskevich said. The shop’s menu features a range of beverages from classic coffee and matcha to cold brew.
“Our main focus is on specialty third-wave coffee, and [we] hope to have people taste a good cup of coffee and understand what that tastes like,” Liskevich said.
In addition to its beverage offerings, Morning Brew Co. serves a variety of pastries made fresh each morning. Their offerings include chocolate croissants, danishes and scones, as well as crepes made to order.
“We always try to make everything in-house and as organic as possible,” Liskevich said. The shop also offers seasonal items including house-made pumpkin spice and golden hour syrups, along with apple crumble scones and pumpkin cold foam.
Southern junior nursing major, Alicia Anderson, shared her experience trying Morning Brew Co. beverages, “I think the coffee was whatever but I thought the matcha was super good and much better flavor than Starbucks or Dunkin.” In relation to Morning Brew Co. being a potential study spot for students, she told the Accent, “The ambiance is very chic … and surprisingly there aren’t many people there whenever I go. It’s cozy because it’s small, but there are still a lot of places to sit and visit or study together.”
Everest Kim, a junior nursing major, also stated his experience at Morning Brew Co., “I appreciated the environment that Morning Brew provided for its customers. The ambiance was clean, spacious and tastefully decorated. As for its coffee, I think Morning Brew makes a solid iced latte. The coffee flavor is strong and their syrups are decent. However, it’s nothing to write home about; and I’m not sure it’s much better than similarly priced competitors that don’t charge a whole dollar for an oat or almond milk substitution.”
For those looking for a new order at Morning Brew Co., Liskevich’s personal pick includes the dirty chai tea, which he describes as “super underrated and [a] very fall/autumn vibe.”
According to Liskevich, Morning Brew Co. is dedicated to building relationships with local businesses and using their products, from coffee beans to future menu items.
“We strive to build relationships with local companies and use their products in our shop,” Liskevich said.
Looking ahead, Morning Brew Co. plans to expand its pastry and food menus, as well as continue to support the community through initiatives like free coffee for first responders and other local events.
