Exciting News for Coffee Lovers in Aiken!
Great news for coffee aficionados and early risers—Aiken may see a brand-new drive-thru coffee stand popping up soon! If you’re a fan of grabbing a warm cup of joe on the go, you might want to keep your eyes peeled for the potential arrival of 7 Brew on Whiskey Road.
What’s the Scoop?
It seems that a developer named Coffee Talk 7 LLC has brewed up a proposal that could change your coffee run forever. They recently asked the Aiken City Council to approve a zoning change, allowing them to set up a 7 Brew stand at 2223 Whiskey Road, right just north of the beloved Olive Garden. The spot currently houses an abandoned Checkers restaurant, which closed its doors back in 2019.
A Little Bit About 7 Brew
You may be wondering about this 7 Brew. Well, it all started back in 2017 in Rogers, Arkansas, with the aim to transform the typical drive-thru experience into something fun and memorable. And it’s certainly making waves across the nation! With 190 locations in a whopping 26 states, they are on a mission to serve up coffee with a side of excitement. Currently, the closest location to Aiken is in Augusta.
A Peek at the Plans
So what’s next for this prospective coffee haven? The Planning Director, Marya Moultrie, explained the necessity of a zoning change. The plot of land is situated in the city’s Whiskey Road Overlay District, which gives the city more control over what gets built there. Developers wanting to alter properties in this area need to get a zoning approval, and the Planning Commission meets to discuss these changes.
On December 10th, during a recent planning meeting, the commission unanimously voted 6-0 to recommend the city council approve the zoning change and the concept plan for this project. It looks like the wheels are in motion!
Past Plans Gone Awry
Interestingly, this isn’t the first coffee-related plan for this specific location. A different developer had plans to demolish the old Checkers to build a Scooter’s Coffee stand back in 2022, but those aspirations fizzled out before reaching fruition. If everything goes according to the new plans, the old Checkers building would finally be knocked down to make way for the fresh new coffee shop experience.
What Happens Next?
It seems that WARP 2096 LLC owns the 0.43-acre plot and purchased it for $800,000 in late November 2022. Should the zoning change be green-lighted, it’s likely that WARP would sell the land to Coffee Talk 7—though the terms of such a deal remain under wraps.
The next crucial step for Coffee Talk 7 is to have their proposal presented before the Aiken City Council on either January 13 or 27. Their construction timeline is still a mystery, but many locals are already eager to sip on their favorite brews without leaving their cars.
In Summary
Change is brewing in Aiken! If all goes as planned, the bustling streets of Whiskey Road will soon be the proud home to a 7 Brew coffee stand, bringing delightful drinks and hopefully some darn good vibes. Remember to stay tuned—this could be the start of a delicious new chapter for coffee lovers in our community!
