We get by with a little 'Yelp' from our friends...

So now that the word of mouth is spreading about our store, we've noticed people are 'Yelping' us to find us, and some are even spending the extra time to leave a comment about our store. Here's what people have been saying about us on Yelp.

"Very peaceful place to sit read and drink coffee. It is located next to the foothills of the mountains, so you can see hills out the window."

jo j. (Lakewood CO)

"Independent coffee shops tend to have great coffee, of course. But this stuff is about the smoothest and most flavorful I've had. But the bigger surprise was the low prices. I had just popped-in to grab an eye-opener, but and definitely planning on going back, frequently and soon. And that's saying a lot since we're up in the Bailey area and don't come down the hill unless there's something special for us."

Me F (Park CO)

"I am there at least twice a week."

Angela C (Denver CO)

We love getting comments on Yelp (especially the positive 5-star-rating kind!!). It helps us know if we're on track in delivering the kind of customer experience we set out for. If you're registered with Yelp, and have been to Read, Write & Brew, why not leave us a comment as well?

Closed Memorial Day

Read, Write & Brew will be closed Monday May 31st in observance of Memorial Day.

Is't death to fall for Freedom's right?
He's dead alone who lacks her light!
~Thomas Campbell

Java Junkie of the month - Sara Webb

Jefferson and I still remember the first day we met Sara. We were building out the store - tiling, painting, cleaning, dirty and exhausted - and along comes a bubbly fresh face "Hi! My name's Sara and I can't wait for you guys to open. My two most favorite things in the world are books and coffee. My kids go to the Taekwondo school, so I'm sure you'll see me in your store all the time". Truer words were never spoken, and here we are 8 months later, Java Junkie of the month (our second ever Java Junkie).

On that day we were pretty excited at having officially met our first customer, before we'd even opened for business, and had no idea at the time how we'd come to get to know the awesome person Sara is, and that she would become a valued friend of ours.

Sara comes in almost daily (sometimes bi-daily) for her steamed soy latte - but as the weather has gotten warmer, now she's switched to iced (as per the pic above). She enjoys these at the store while Chloe and Brett (her twin 11 year olds and 'partners in crime') are working their martial art butts off at the Taekwondo studio across the parking lot. They come in after class for their well deserved sugar free and chocolatey drinks and muffins.

Sara lives just down the road in Morrison, and is a teacher at Jefferson Highschool. You'll probably spot her at the store from time to time researching for her classes, or meeting with her fellow teachers. She's passionate about being a high school teacher and by the way she talks about her students, it's obvious she genuinely cares about them, understands them, and respects them. She often comes in wearing 'Jefferson' (school) t-shirts, and has to explain to Jefferson (Read, Write & Brew) that no, she's not his number 1 fan, it's a school shirt, and enough with the wise cracks.

Julie: So, what book are you reading at the moment?
Sara: Mexican WhiteBoy by Matt de la Pena

Julie: I haven't heard of that one... is it any good?
Sara: A few of my students said they'd read it and said it was really good, so I thought I'd give it a try, amongst others I'm reading right now. But I'm enjoying it.
Jefferson: (comes up from behind us and takes over, without invitation) I've got a Jefferson 'Hard Core Question' for you. Name your favorite break dance move.
Sara: I don't even know any break dance moves....
Jefferson: Would you rather burn to death, or..... what?
Sara: What's my alternative?
Jefferson: That's for you to say!
Sara: Ummm.....
Jefferson: (while Sara is saying 'ummm') What do you never leave the house without?
Sara: My nails painted.
Jefferson: What do you think of animals with tentacles?
Sara: They're cool because they can re-generate.
Jefferson: What would you like to come back as?
Sara: A tree, because they last for a long time in the proper environment and they're constantly changing.
Customer walks in and Jefferson crawls back into his cage, where he belongs.
Julie: We'll, I guess Jefferson covered pretty much everything. I've got one last question. What's the one thing you'd like the Read, Write & Brew blog readers to know most about you?
Sara: That I'm super passionate about working with adverse kids, and eventually I'd like to finish my counseling masters and work in a halfway house. I think that'd be really worthwhile.

Box 'o Books #3 - $4

You've gotta be fast - they're going quick!

Here's what's in Box 'o Books #3.

Wild Animus - Rich Shapero
Seabiscuit - Laura Hillenbrand
Kitchen Counter Cures
Valley of Horses - Jean M. Auel
Scarlet Feather - Maeve Binchy
Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution
The Ruins - Scott Smith
The Notebook - Nicholas Sparks
The House of Spirits - Isabel Allende
Summer Sister - Judy Blume

For all 10 books, that's only 40 cents each!

Email or call if interested, and we will hold them for you.

Box 'o Books #2 - $4

The first Box 'o Books has been snapped up, so here is our second value pack.


The Da Vinci Code (hardback)
Hannibal - Thomas Harris
Ashes to Ashes - Tami Hoag
Clear and Present Danger - Tom Clancy
The Icarus Agenda - Robert Ludlum
The Godfather - Mario Puzo
Kane & Abel - Jeffrey Archer
Critical Judgment - Michael Palmer
The Hunt For Red October - Tom Clancy
Sphere - Michael Crichton

For all 10 books, that's only 40 cents each!

Email or call if interested, and we will hold them for you.

Box o' Books #1 - $4

Its a huge John Grisham pack! Forget about any of the crappy movie adaptations you saw, and get the real deal instead:

A Time to Kill
The Chamber
Pelican Brief
The Runaway Jury
A Painted House
The Firm
The Street Lawyer
The Client
The Rainmaker
The Testament

For all 10 books, that's only 40 cents each!

Email or call if interested, and I will hold them for you.

Breggo's Haiku Contest

Anyone who works at a store that sells Breggos is eligible to participate in their Haiku Contest. The winning entry gets a dozen free Breggos sandwiches! Naturally, Jefferson and I have submitted our entries.

Here's what we came up with:

One minute thirty...
Counting down the seconds 'till,
Breggos in my mouth.

by Julie

Man, I'm starvin dude.
Check it yo! They got Breggos!
Hunger problem solved.

by Jefferson

Yeah, yeah, I know. Jefferson's is better.

If you want to see all the entries, become a fan of Breggos on Facebook, but only give a thumbs up to ours (nudge, nudge, wink, wink).

Wish us luck!

Contest ends May 15th. We'll let you know if we win anything.

Freshly baked Breggos being prepared for delivery to your local coffee shop. Yum!

New monthly post - Java Junkies!

Welcome to the first of our new monthly posts to the Read, Write & Brew blog...

Java Junkies

Since we've opened up our store, we've met many many interesting and wonderful members of our local community. We've loved getting to know them all, and we think you would too. So this new monthly post is dedicated to all our interesting regulars. Come in often enough, and perhaps you'll get talked into getting your mugshot and story featured on our blog site too!

Without further ado, may we introduce to you Edwin and Pauline Ellis.

Edwin and Pauline regularly donate great books to Read, Write & Brew's book fund. Ladies, if you visit our craft section, and find fabulous knitting, sewing and crochet books from the 60's and 70's, chances are that these awesome finds originally belonged to Pauline. You've got to come in and check them out. You know how everything old is new again? Well if you love retro, and think yourself crafty, you'll love these books.

But enough about the books, and back to Edwin and Pauline. This lovely married couple of 4 years have spent their last 3 years as residents of Golden Colorado, and are originally from North Carolina.

Edwin is a Korean War Veteran, and a retired fireman, after 35 years of service.

Pauline worked in a textile factory, and her hobbies include crochet and reading.

Their favorite TV shows are, The Price Is Right, Jeopardy, and Wheel Of Fortune.

We're really grateful to you Edwin and Pauline - not only for your service to this country and your local community, but we know how hard it is for you to lug those books into our store, and yet you keep them coming! We'd like to thank you for these reasons, and thanks for being Read, Write & Brews' first Java Junkies!

Featuring the LIVE musical stylings of Jeff Brinkman!

A reminder to everyone that our official Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting event is being held this Thursday, with free food and drink samplings, as well as door prizes to give away to all who come help us celebrate.

And now, we also have some awesome LIVE music lined up for you to enjoy too.

Jeff Brinkman lives in Boulder Colorado, and has recorded his first album, 'To The Bones'.

jeffbrinkmanmusic.com

Joe Kovack of Marquee Magazine has this to say about Jeff:
"Every once in a while there is a musician who emerges with a genuine and honest approach to their craft, and whose music accurately depicts that unadulterated simplicity. With his debut album To The Bones, Jeff Brinkman places himself in that category"

Click here to sample some of the songs from the album and get a sneak peek at what you'll be hearing if you can make it to our Ribbon Cutting Thursday.

Even if you can't make it Thursday, support your local Colorado musicians. If you like what you hear, please buy his new album. My guess is that Jeff will be the next Dave Mathews, and you'll wanna be able to say, "I knew him back when...".

Read, Write & Brew

Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting

Thursday April 8th, 5pm - 7pm

CLOSED: Easter Sunday

We are closed for Easter Sunday.

Hope everyone has a great Easter with their families.

That's how we're spending ours.

See ya Monday!

Read, Write & Brew, and SMOOTHIES!

Now not only can you read a book, write an email, and have a cup of 'brew' at Read, Write & Brew, but you can also have a cup of creamy, frosted, refreshing deliciousness as well. We call 'em Ice-Creamers (because they're made with ice and are m-mm-creamy good)... but we're open to other quirky name suggestions, so if you can think of something cool, let us know. We tried to brain storm name ideas, but drank to many 'ice-creamers' and got brain freeze, and couldn't come up with anything we're really in love with.

Jefferson trying to think of a cool name for our smoothies, while suffering brain freeze.

We decided to go with 'Island Oasis' for our smoothies, because their products contain the highest percentage of fruit content in the smoothie category. They claim to pay more for their fruit to ensure their product is of the highest quality. We've had a few (hundred) taste tests of their smoothies, and if taste is anything to go by - then they're tellin' the truth.

Their products are pasteurized, contain less sugar than other smoothie products out there, and contain 100% of the RDA of Vitamin C.

Lookie! Now doesn't that look soooo good...
... and, whhhaaaatttttttt, only $3.90! Now that's a refreshing luxury that anyone can treat themselves to. And we're not talking just slap it in a cup $3.90. We're talkin' make it all fancy with whipped cream on top and stuff fancy.

The fruit flavors you have to choose from include: strawberry, banana, peach, and mango. Have them on their own, or mix-n-match. We also have ice cream and non fat yogurt, if you want more of a "strawberries 'n cream" kinda twist. Need caffeine, not fruit? We hear ya. That's why we also make coffee smoothies, with real shots of espresso.

We've got the patio set up all nice like, with umbrellas and tables and chairs, and great views of the Golden Foothills. We're far enough away from 6th Avenue that you can't hear the constant shushing of the traffic, but instead you'll be serenaded with the music coming from the speaker we have positioned so that you can hear it outside.

Keep up to date with the weather channel, and the next nice day comin' up, you've just got to relax on the patio with an ice cold smoothie... and on that note (nudge, nudge, wink, wink) it's meant to be 60 degrees and sunny this Sunday. Better come on over and take advantage.

See ya there.

Come join us on APRIL 8th for our Grand Opening Event!

Read, Write & Brew will have its official 'Grand Opening' in conjunction with the Business After Hours event at Heritage Plaza. We'll be open for an extra hour, until 7pm, and will have free food and drink samplings, and door raffle giveaways. Other Heritage Plaza businesses will also be open with entertainment and giveaways of their own. The official Ribbon Cutting event will take place at 5.30pm. We'd love to see you all there for this special occasion!

Personalize your own free invitation

FREE FOOD! Soup Taste Testing on St Patty's Day

Upcoming Events

Secret Menu Item

Fancy yourself as one of those 'in the know' kinda people, do ya? Well, by logging onto our Blog site and reading this post, you actually are! So here's a little something for ya... a secret menu item only people who read this blog post are 'in the know' about.

We have a lot of tasty syrups to choose from at our store - but hands down the best flavor we have is definitely 'toffee nut'. It's not written up on our menu board, but ask for it, and you'll get the special nod, wink, and delicious sweet caramelly toffee nuttiness added to your drink for just 45 cents.

Why keep such a great flavor a secret and not promote it for everyone to try? Well, we are going to add it to the menu eventually - for sure! It'll become our best seller we reckon. We just like the idea of a secret menu, and are curious to see which of our customers read our blog site.

Children's Reading Time

Bring the kids in on Tuesday February 2nd for Children's Reading time!

Starts at 10am.

Katies Coaching Circle

Katie Smith will be hosting her meet up group at Read, Write & Brew on Tuesday February 2nd at 7.00pm.

Katie will be leading discussion and coaching on various topics related to living a more relaxed life, one focused on creating what you REALLY want.

The evening will consist of a short discussion on a particular topic and then mini coaching sessions for individuals interested in moving forward in their lives.

If you're interested in creating the future you desire, this group is for you. Maybe it's a project you've had on the back burner, or wanting to learn to live from a place of joy and acceptance vs. struggle and stress, or maybe you're in the midst of a career change. If so, this is the group that can help create positive movement forward in your life.

When: Tuesday, February 2nd
Cost: $1

Time: 7.00pm - 8.30pm

To register for this event go to
meetup.com (The Coaching Corner), or
email Katie@katiebsmith.com.

Who is Katie Smith?
Katie is a local Golden resident, who is a member of the International Coach Federation.

"For over 15 years, I have consulted and facilitated the growth of executive teams. Consulting with industry leaders and professionals seeking Director to C-level roles in privately held organizations.

My hands-on approach is direct, open and thought-provoking; I build relationships built on accountability and trust.

As a member of the International Coach Federation and a graduate of Coach University, additionally, I have been teaching yoga and meditation for 15 years. I use these tools, as appropriate, with my clients to manage stress and live a more balanced happy life."

To find out more about Katie, go to www.katiebsmith.com

FREE FOOD! Breggo's Taste Testing

To those of you who already love 'em, come try all the different kinds.

To those who haven't tried them,
and don't even know what a Breggo is - you gotta come in and try them.

They're like a cross between a calzone and an omelet.
They're baked fresh from scratch in Lyons Colorado,
and delivered fresh to 'Read, Write & Brew'
(the only place you can get them in Golden).

Save the date, skip breakfast, and come in and have a try!

Saturday January 23rd, from 8.30am.

Free pastries today 12/27 only!

Sunday pastry special for our online followers only! Today only, Sunday 12/27, purchase any coffee drink, and get a free pastry of your choice. Choose from scones, pretzels, twists, muffins, bagels, and more. Just mention you read about it on our blog and its on us!

Get up to $20 in store credit for an old bookshelf!

We need bookshelves.

You need your daily caffeine fix.

This could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship...
or at the very least, a you-scratch-my-back-I'll-scratch-yours scenario.

At the moment we're a 'coffee shop that also has used books'. We want to be a 'used bookstore that also has a coffee shop', and have all the books to be just that, but we're desperately short on shelves. We can't afford to go out and buy a whole lot of new shelves to fill our space, and besides, we like the mismatched shelf look we've got goin' on, so prefer our shelves used.

See what I mean. Cosy, right!

So, we have a proposition for anyone out there with a bookshelf at home that's in the way, collecting dust, and not really of much use.

Bring in a bookshelf in exchange for
$20 in store credit at Read, Write & Brew!

Yes, we have heard of the saying, 'Beggers can't be choosers',
but we do have some criteria attached to what we'll accept.

In order to get the full $20 store credit, shelves must be:

- wood (any kind), or if they're not wooden, a faux 'wood look' is fine. Painted, metal our colorful plastic shelves just don't gel with the 'vibe' we're trying to create.
- around 6 foot tall (give or take a little)
- sturdy enough for us not to have to worry about it toppling on any of our customers as they browse
- in at least 'fair' condition. We have no problem accepting shelves with scratches and dings in them, but please don't bring us anything that looks like it's had a severe beating.
- we'll also accept shelves less than 6' tall, and do have uses for shelves around waist height. We'll offer you $10 store credit for these kinds of shelves.

If you're wondering about a shelf in your home, but don't know if it's what we're after, come in and talk to us or take some photo's of it, describe it a little, and send us an email - and we can let you know whether it's worth your while bringing it in. Our email address is read.write.brew@gmail.com.

You can spend your store credit all at once, or spread it out over multiple visits. If you have any questions, please contact us.

Shop local this Christmas at Read, Write & Brew

Wanting to buy your friends and family gifts they can actually use this Christmas, and not sit on a shelf somewhere collecting dust? Well, if you come into Read, Write & Brew, you'll find lots and lots of great Christmas gift ideas that are fun, use-able, and best of all they're all made in Colorado, so you'll be keeping your money within the community you live.

From original one of a kind hand made Christmas cards with embelishments (for the same price as a machine printed card elsewhere)...

snow globe Christmas card with real moving 'beads' of snow, which doubles as a gift card holder

card that holds a packet of cocoa mix

... to bookmarks and journals and candles...

... knitted cup and teapot cosies

... and green sleeves...
... to hand made soap (all natural ingredients and oils - and smell heavenly)...
... and natural hand made lotions and bath gels.


With so many options - local, natural and hand made - you can do all your Christmas stocking shopping in the time it takes us to make you an eggnog latte!



EXTENDED SATURDAY OPENING HOURS!

Just an added note: Read, Write & Brew is now open 6am till 6pm on Saturdays! So now our opening hours are the same from Monday to Saturday.

And don't forget - rain, hail or snow - we're here Sundays from 8am till 2pm.

See ya soon!