Not your average Bar

    In the quiet town of Bloomsburg lies a hidden gem that goes by the name of Brewskis.  The aroma of ground coffee beans overwhelms your senses from the sidewalk the storefront resides on;  as you walk into this quiet little storefront, you are met with two options.  There is a set of double doors leading forward to what appeared to be a coffee shop. In contrary, there is an unmarked mysterious set of downward stairs leading to the basement.  It was at that moment when the decision was made to follow through the double doors where patrons are met by a young worker named Sammy.  She greets the customers with a cheerful, "Hi there," which was later discovered is how she greeted every customer that entered.  The ambiance of Reggae and R&B music is set at a volume that was not too loud yet not too quiet.  Rows of couches and high tops lined the right side while an elevated bar top around 15 or so feet long sat on the left side.  The audience inside consists of mostly college students huddled behind their laptops with headphones.  They come to Brewskis for a coffee and to complete classwork due to the laid back atmosphere and comfortable seating.  Two young woman were perched at the bar having a conversation, each accompanied by a espresso martini, which combines both coffee and alcohol tying together Brewskis main business concept.  Behind the bar, Sammy was busy cleaning and crafting coffees for the patrons at a rapid pace.  Along with the busy Sammy was the many bottles of liquor and multiple taps all representing a different draft beer.  The coffee machines resting behind the bar let out bursts of steam, which made customers look up from their laptops and conversations every time.

    Sammy is a Bartender, Barista, Server and the occasional cleaner all in one, and is a key piece to what makes Brewskis the place it is today.  This level of workload however does not stop her from enjoying what she does.  "I tell people it's my favorite job I've ever had.  I'm like notorious for quitting jobs in the past, and I would never quit this place," Sammy Exclaimed with a chuckle.  She was dressed in a baggy blue sweater with faint blue jeans on and wore what appeared to be a custom cloth mask.  "One time the men's urinal just decided to overflow and flooded this whole place, the whole basement.  We had to come in, in waist high boots and suck the water out with shop vacs," Sammy recited in a muffled laughing tone.  This event showcased the kind of workplace Brewskis is because it shows that even in an unfortunate event, the workers found humor in it.   

    Before Brewskis came to be, it was solely a bar owned by a man and his wife (of polish decent) and it was known as 'The Steady'.  Sammy described, "During Covid, his wife was selling perogies out of the front door, and they wanted to incorporate a polish aspect to the menu hence why our menu has a lot of polish dishes."  Brewskis menu (Brewskis | Menu) is vast and has items that are sure to fit the wants of just about anyone that stops by to enjoy a bite to eat.  The Covid era effected many businesses in the town of Bloomsburg, including a competitor coffee shop just three stores down called 'Fog & Flame'.   "During covid, Fog & Flame was closed and we decided there would be a large coffee crowd if we had coffee as well so that is how that came to be," proclaimed Sammy.  

    At night, the scene changes from a chill study spot to a fun place for friends to get together and have a drink listening to live entertainment or even playing candlepin bowling.  In the back of the shop sits a large stage where events occurs almost everyday for the patrons.  "We also have entertainment, like everyday of the week.  Tuesday is vinyl night, Wednesday is open mic, Thursday is trivia, Saturday we have karaoke, so we have stuff just about every night," Sammy remarked.  Besides the live entertainment, Brewskis also offers a variety of other amenities to keep customers occupied and enjoying themselves.  The sound of cheers and chatter erupts from the basement by the customers who bowl at their candlepin bowling alley.  The clanking vibrations caused by the pins can be felt from upstairs through the floorboards.  However, there is an age requirement of 21 to enter the basement due to the serving of alcohol.  

  

  Along the bar sat a pastry case containing mouth watering sweet deserts and savory snacks.  The case contrasted the dim dark scenery that Brewskis displays by using bright lighting making the case glow as if it is the only thing in the room.   Sammy gave a recommendation for a coffee that she observed to be the most popular iced coffee she makes.  It was a smooth cookie crumble iced coffee prepared with oat milk, cold brew coffee, and mocha swirl.  Between the struggles of Covid, and the rebranding from 'The Steady', Brewskis has strived and continues to be one of the most successful businesses in the area.  One Brewskis advocate yelled, "This is the place to be," showcasing how the customers have a special place in their heart for this hole in the wall business here in the town of Bloomsburg.