By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw
WARSAW — The newest coffee shop in Warsaw — Scooter’s Coffee Drive-Thru — opened early Monday morning after nearly 20 months of preparation for its franchise operation at the corner of South Buffalo and Prairie streets.
The drive-thru sits on a nicely landscaped tract on the southeast corner of the old Marsh parking lot and just north of Conley’s Barber Shop.
Owner and operator Eric Ewert tells News Now Warsaw they chose the location just down the street from Warsaw High Community School, where Eric was a former coach and teacher and Brody was a standout basketball player.
Brody will be the store manager and oversee a staff of 30 to 35 people.
Both said they hope to capitalize on their connections to the school to support the business, and ventured into the community in recent weeks, teasing potential customers with samples.
A “soft opening” began before sunrise Monday with a long line of cars before the first drink was served.
Eric said he began researching business options, discovered the franchise opportunity with Scooters “and fell in love with it.”
He spoke highly of the Omaha, Nebraska, chain and how the company supports entrepreneurs getting into the retail coffee business.
They acquired the lot from the city of Warsaw, which purchased the entire Marsh lot several years ago when it was working to market the property.
Plans for an antique mall in the old grocery building are still in the works, according to the city.
Scooters has about 900 locations across the country, and much like Starbucks and Dunkin’, which also have stores in Warsaw, they’ll focus on drive-thru coffee and much more.
Eric said the menu is geared to attract customers beyond just the breakfast crowd.
“It’s not just coffee — we have Red Bull infusions, smoothies, shakes, we have food, tea, lemonades,” he said during a recent interview.
The local Scooters is counting on differentiating itself from other nearby coffee shops in the downtown area.
“You know with the drive-thru, it’s a little different than some of the other coffee shops that you would find downtown,” Eric said.
Store hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and will stay open until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Opening a business, the brothers said, is something they never really considered until just a few years ago.
So can they be compatible in a work atmosphere?
“Yes, we’re very compatible, and we’re very direct with each other, but it works well,” Eric said.
