On the third Tuesday of every month, something quiet and genuinely useful happens at Just Love Coffee Cafe at 636 Chestnut Street. A group of local business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals gather from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. for what sounds simple but matters more than it sounds: coffee and conversation.
It is called Business Brew, and it is exactly what the name suggests. There are no PowerPoint presentations and no guest speakers trying to sell you a product. It features individuals in the business of running things across Madison County showing up to talk shop, swap leads, and discover what kind of work they might do together.
How It Started 🧩
The event grew out of something Bill and Sandy Adams deliberately built into Just Love Coffee itself. When they opened the cafe, they designed it as more than a place to get a cup of coffee. They wanted it to serve as a workspace and a clear gathering point for the business community.
Sandy actively runs Realty World, their office situated on the downtown square, and Bill recognized from that side of the industry what local entrepreneurs were missing. They needed a simple, regular venue where they knew other professionals were guaranteed to show up.
So they started Business Brew. The third Tuesday of the month became a standing invitation. No registration is required, and there are no membership dues. Business owners simply come at 7:30 a.m., grab a seat, and talk to whoever else showed up.
Why It Works ✅
The format matters. A structured networking event with name tags and assigned tables sounds practical in theory but can feel stiff in practice. Business Brew works because it leans the other way.
You show up early, buy coffee, sit down, and let the conversation find its own shape. Someone mentions they are looking for a contractor. Someone else at the table notes their cousin does exactly that kind of work. Numbers get exchanged, and a new relationship starts over a cup of coffee and a slice of toast.
That is how business actually functions in a town like Berea. It is not fancy or complicated. It is just people knowing exactly where and when to find other professionals who might be able to help them solve a problem.
Who Shows Up 👥
The group includes startup founders working out of home offices, established professionals looking to expand their regional network, people considering a new venture, and owners of existing local businesses. The only real requirement is that you are actively doing something in Madison County, or thinking about starting something here.
What matters most is the business-to-business (B2B) infrastructure that happens over coffee. When a retail shop owner in Berea hires a local accountant instead of importing that service from Lexington, or when a contractor finds their next client across a table, that represents money staying inside Madison County instead of leaking away. Business Brew is where those connections start.
The environment is not exclusive or expensive. It is the kind of thing you can try once without any long-term commitment, and if it is not for your business, you do not have to return.
The Practical Details 🗓️
The June session has concluded for the season. Business Brew takes a mid-summer break and officially resumes on its standard third-Tuesday rotation in late July.
- When: The third Tuesday of every month, from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
- Where: Just Love Coffee Cafe, 636 Chestnut Street, Berea.
- Next Sessions: Tuesday, July 21; Tuesday, August 18; and Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
- Cost: Just the price of coffee if you want it.
- What to Bring: Business cards if you have them, a willingness to talk about what you do, or a question you need answered by fellow business owners.
The Bigger Picture 🌱
There is something about Business Brew that fits Berea. It is not a polished corporate program or a rigid institutional initiative. It is just a couple of local business people choosing to create a time and place for their neighbors to get to know each other better.
Small towns run on exactly that kind of casual infrastructure. The people who own things, who are building things, and who are trying new things need a reliable network. Informal gatherings like this are where that familiarity happens. They are also where unexpected opportunities get created, operational problems get solved, and the local economy actually functions.
If you run a business in Madison County, or you are thinking about starting one, showing up on a Tuesday morning to a coffee shop and talking to people facing similar challenges is well worth an hour of your time. You might find a vendor, you might find a client, or you might just find someone who has already solved the exact roadblock you are currently facing.
That is worth the price of coffee.
Quick Summary ✅
- Informal Design: Business Brew strips away rigid name tags and corporate speeches, operating as a casual, open discussion space for regional entrepreneurs.
- Local Leadership: Anchored at Just Love Coffee Cafe by local owners Bill and Sandy Adams, the group bridges the gap between independent retail and real estate sectors.
- Summer Schedule: The June assembly has closed. The morning meetup enters a brief mid-summer hiatus before resuming on Tuesday, July 21, 2026.
- Economic Retention: Focusing heavily on regional B2B infrastructure helps local businesses locate nearby suppliers, keeping economic wealth from leaking out of Berea.
Related Stories 🔗
- Weekly Social Roundups and Richmond Excursions: Your Summer 2026 Community Guide
- Mid-Week Pickups: Tuesday Evenings at the Berea Farmers Market
Upcoming Community Events 📅
- June 17 – July 31, 2026: Together We Thrive community art exhibition on view at the Berea Arts Council gallery.
- June 19–28, 2026: Macbeth final weekend performances at The Spotlight Playhouse.
- July 10–12, 2026: The Berea Craft Festival at Indian Fort Theater.
This article originally appeared on BereaOnline.com — your home for Madison County news, community events, and local updates.
About the Author ✍️
Chad Hembree serves as the Executive Director of Spotlight Acting School, The Spotlight Playhouse, and Spotlight Performing Arts. A resident of Berea, Kentucky, and a former member of the Berea City Council, he has spent decades working in community theater, arts education, and local journalism. Since 1995, he has operated BereaOnline.com, focusing on local news, civic issues, and stories that highlight community collaboration and grassroots efforts across Madison County.
Sources 📌
| Source ID | Reference Context | URL |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business Brew Calendars & Timelines | Just Love Coffee Cafe Berea Hub |
| 2 | Realty World Business Affiliations | Realty World Adams & Associates Registry |
| 3 | Madison County Small Business Growth Data | Berea Chamber of Commerce Business Directories |