FIRST: Bent Tree Coffee

The smell and sound of coffee beans being ground by a larger roaster greet customers when they enter Bent Tree Coffee at 313 N. Water St.

Bent Tree’s grounded coffee, specialty flavors and attention to the community make it popular among Kent residents, said Jonah Onuska, shop manager of Bent Tree Coffee.

“We have a great connection to our community, both the townies that live here all year round and the student body,” he said.

Hunter Chenevey, a campus missionary for H2O Church, noticed the community connection from the friendliness of the workers at Bent Tree.

“I also really like the baristas, they’re really nice, they get to know you, too,” Chenevey said. “I get to know them and their names.”

Outside of its welcoming staff, Bent Tree is also known for its coffee. Customers like Lauren Woolum, also a campus missionary for H2O Church, said the coffee shop has the best black coffee.

“I come to Bent Tree because they have the best coffee in town,” she said. “I’m a brewed black coffee drinker, and Bent Tree has the best brewed black coffee.”

Woolum is not alone as Onuska said many customers either come to Bent Tree or go to grocery stores like Meijer to buy Bent Tree’s roasted coffee.

“We put a lot of effort into sourcing beans from all over the world, exotic processes, so people come here when they really want a great cup of coffee,” he said.

In addition to their locally roasted coffee, the Bent Tree’s menu includes seasonal drinks, like the sunrise matcha latte, a matcha latte with mango and vanilla bean syrup and a vanilla bean cold foam. 

Onuska said Bent Tree uses house-made syrups, which adds a different element to its drinks.

“It allows us to get a level of quality and care that you can’t get elsewhere, all the way down to unique concepts that you wouldn’t be able to find from a company that makes their [own] syrups,” he said.

These seasonal drinks often attract customers because of their experimental flavors, said Laure Nolte, a university Schidlowski emerging faculty fellow.

“My favorite recently was a sweet potato latte, it was so good in the fall,” she said. “Right now, they have a hot honey latte, I haven’t tried it yet, but the seasonal flavors are always amazing, unique and you can’t find them anywhere else.”

For those interested in visiting Bent Tree, Onuska recommends visiting the coffee shop during its “Cappy Hour,” (cappuccino hour) from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. when customers can receive up to $2 off certain drinks.

“Come in for ‘Cappy Hour’ between 3 and close on weekdays, discounted drinks, immaculate vibes, outdoor patio, where you can sit and study as well as hang out with friends,” he said.

SECOND: Scribbles Coffee Company

When customers enter Scribbles Coffee Company, they are welcomed with the sounds of coffee brewing, greetings from baristas and chatter from other customers catching up.

With the inviting atmosphere, Scribbles has become a coffee shop frequented by people of all ages, said Kent resident Evangeline Newton.

Newton grew up during the ‘60s and experienced its hippy culture. When her brother discovered Scribbles and told her it was reminiscent of the past, she decided to visit.

“He came home and said, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s like going back in time,’” she said. “The way everything was set up, people hanging out, and he said, ‘I think you guys might like it.’”

When Newton paid a visit to Scribbles herself, she noticed the same nostalgia her brother did and decided to come back with her friend and fellow Kent resident Jackie Peck.

Peck said she enjoys the relaxed atmosphere of Scribbles, which includes chalkboards and paper placed on tables with crayons allowing customers to doodle while they enjoy their coffee.

“I love the art, the free-form coloring and it’s just a mentally healthy place here,” Peck said. “People get together, it’s an independent coffeehouse, small business in Kent and I love the vibes, that’s a ‘60s word.”

Aby Beacom, a senior recreational park and tourism management major, also enjoyed the vibes inside Scribbles with its Kent-related decorations, like the black squirrel featured on its logo.

“I think it’s just super cozy and it’s just always decorated in a way that really reflects the aesthetic of Kent and what it’s like to live in Kent,” she said.

Outside of its atmosphere, Scribbles’ variety of drinks ranging from teas to coffees and pastries often draws in customers.

For those interested in visiting Scribbles at 237 N. Water St., Sydney Smith, a senior engineering major, recommends people try a raspberry cheesecake shaken espresso or a junior bolt, a shot of espresso mixed with heavy whipping cream and the customer’s choice of spices. 

“[The junior bolts are] what they’re known for, their signature,” she said.

THIRD: Tree City Coffee

Tree City Coffee’s eye-catching drawings on the windows, spacious shop and soothing music make it often frequented by students in need of a drink with some energy or a place to study.

Jordan Nighswander, a barista at Tree City, said the coffee shop’s atmosphere offers students an alternative space to study in while providing them with the drinks they need to fuel their studies.

“We create a welcoming and very comfortable place, where people can come and study instead of being in a smelly library all the time,” she said.

From her time behind the counter, Nighswander noticed that Tree City’s energy spritzers are popular among customers, especially non-coffee drinkers.

While studying with friends, Grace Cheatham, a senior nursing major, ordered an energy spritzer to help her and remained optimistic that the drink would provide her with some additional energy.

“It’s a nice little boost [for studying], it’s a nice little sweet treat,” she said.

Besides the energy spritzers, Nighswander said Tree City’s seasonal menu, which changes every month, often attracts customers.

“It’s always something new, new recipes and stuff that they can try out,” she said. ”Anything you like we probably have.” 

Genevieve Thomas and Malayah Miranda, sophomore and senior human development and family science majors, chose to meet up at the coffee shop to try its St. Patrick’s Day inspired drinks, which included the Lucky Charms latte and the Thin Mint latte.

For those interested in visiting Tree City at 135 E. Erie St. in Acorn Alley, both Thomas and Miranda recommend trying its caramel macchiato.

“I say you can never go wrong with an iced caramel macchiato, and theirs here is really good,” Thomas said.

Adriana Gasiewski is a campus editor. Contact her at [email protected].