This cafe in Grant County serves the Lord by serving you a warm drink.
The Branch is a cafe in Fairmount, Indiana, first envisioned and discussed during the summer of 2016 among leaders of Fairmount Wesleyan Church. The cafe would be established to the public in May 2017 as an extension of the church.
One of the baristas, Robin Elliot, has worked at the cafe for three months. She has enjoyed not only working for the business, but also contributing to its community.
“I’m a people person,” Elliot said. “So I love being the barista, where I can welcome the guests that come in and talk to them. I love to hear if they’re from another state or out of town, especially since it’s a historical town.”
Elliot described The Branch as being a relaxed environment with little to no stress.
She is also a beautician, having owned a salon in Fairmount in the past.
“I have a booth every year,” Elliot said. “This will be my eighth year at the James Dean Festival, where I do pin-up makeovers for ladies. We all dress in the 50s. I do the hair and the makeup. We have a pin-up photographer … I love the historical feel of the town.”
Elliot said what makes Fairmount a popular town that attracts even people from long distances is that it is the hometown of the famous late actor James Dean.
The Branch menu features a special drink called the James Dean latte, which consists of cinnamon over the drink and decorated to look like Dean’s face.
“Every morning, we have a big table that’s full of elderly people, who are our regulars,” Elliot said. “And most of them get the same thing. We also have people from the town, like from the police station, fire department, people from the different businesses around here. The dance studio (is) right next door, so a lot of them will come over too before dance class.”
The Branch stands out from other cafes in Grant County because they play Christian music, it’s generally a quiet environment for students to visit and do homework and it has low prices.
Barista Holly Smith has worked at The Branch for about a year and a half, and she has enjoyed forming relationships with the customers she serves.
“I have enjoyed getting to know all the different people that come in,” Smith said. “Whether it be a regular or someone visiting, and then also just working with my coworkers has really been great. And then I enjoy making the food in the kitchen and making the presentation look good and appetizing.”
A meal Smith recommends is the smoothie bowl, which once sold 200 times in one week.
Another one of her favorite meals is the breakfast burrito, which brings together hot sauce, salsa, eggs, cheese and either sausage or bacon.
“I think we are a place that can bring the community together,” Smith said. “Whether that be someone who lives in town, or a college student nearby, or someone visiting the James Dean Museum across the street. There’s a James Dean Gallery down the road, and there’s a couple other attractions in town that attract James Dean fans.”
After tourists visit James Dean sites, they usually stop at the Branch to grab a bite. Smith said she enjoys being able to provide a dining experience for those who explore the town beyond just the memorabilia.
Smith grew up in Fairmount, and one of her favorite parts about her job is that she has been back in her hometown since she graduated.
“I like the atmosphere with my coworkers and the guests that come in,” Smith said. “It’s a very low-key, non-dramatic atmosphere that just promotes study or community or gathering.”
The Branch is open from 9:00 to 6:00 on Monday-Saturday for any Taylor student who wishes to get homework done in a quiet environment or simply wants to drive a distance to take a nice mental break.
