How Coffee is Revitalizing a Community

"People first, coffee second."

If you are searching for a delicious cup of coffee served with a smile that warms your heart, make your way over to Brio Coffeehouse. Located in the small town of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, Brio Coffeehouse is more than just coffee, it's a light in the community.

I had the pleasure of sitting down and chatting with Brio’s owner, Rodney, about the creation of this coffeehouse and the ripples it has made in the community.

Brio Coffeehouse had its start almost two years to the day. The owners started looking for places in February 2017 and by the end of July they were up and running!

The inspiration for Brio Coffeehouse actually came from a photography business. Rodney is also the owner of Aesthetic Life Studio, a wedding photography business. The idea was that they would find a space where he would have his studio in the back with a small coffee bar up front that would at least pay the rent while also providing a place he could showcase his work.

FUN FACT: The logo for Brio Coffeehouse is a camera lens!

After beginning the process they discovered the want and need for a coffeehouse. Waynesboro lacked a coffeehouse, it lacked that place where friends or business partners could meet.

This was important to the owners. They wanted to offer a place in Waynesboro where people could meet. A place where you didn’t have to buy a full meal but could grab a cup of coffee. Now realtors, small businesses, network marketing companies, and even photographers can meet over a delicious cup of Joe. Through this Brio saw a way to help benefit the community.

The opening of Brio Coffeehouse was momentous for Waynesboro. Coffeehouses have a history of revitalizing neighborhoods, another reason for them to be at that location. “If you have coffee, people want to come to coffee. Which then spreads out, into a residual effect.” It all ends up coming together to benefit and build the community as a whole.

Because social media provides a way for people to hide behind screens, people are so much more disconnected than they used to be. Rodney expressed the way Brio wants to help that predicament, “Here at Brio it’s a place where we hope to break down some of those barriers. Where people can meet and talk as an essential community point.”

As an artist and photographer himself, one thing Rodney wants to do is showcase the work of local artists on the walls in the shop as a way to support the local art community. Hopefully in the near future we can see Brio replicated in other neighborhoods to help build up those communities.

Looking back on their journey, one thing they realized right away was that Brio is a place for people first and coffee second. There is still really good coffee, but what’s more important is the inviting community element. Even the baristas are warm, outgoing and friendly people which is key for Brio especially since it is this place of community.

The community footprint and warmth that Brio offers is why I wanted to shine The Lighthouse Project's beacon on this amazing coffee shop. Make sure to grab a cup of their coffee, or one of their lattes. I absolutely LOVE their seasonal lattes like pumpkin spice and snickerdoodle!

You can check out their website here and their Instagram here! And always remember... Shine your Light!