One of the most popular coffee shops in southern Illinois, Crown Brew Coffee Co. has been bringing premium coffee and teas to Marion since 2017.
Although owners Jared Gravatt and Joshua Benitone didn’t have a background in owning a coffee shop or even formal barista training before starting out on their own, the business partners knew they wanted to bring a craft coffee spot to southern Illinois. They began as an e-commerce business and sold coffee online while they traveled across the country to learn first-hand from other craft coffee shops. Throughout their time learning the ropes, Gravatt had an image of what he dreamed the business could be.
“I had a vision for the space to be available for young creatives and artists,” he says.
They’re now living out that vision, as the coffee shop has filled a void in Marion and the greater southern Illinois area. The interior is a welcoming space for artists and creatives, remote workers and students, with a main area offering plenty of tables and a separate room with more table seating as well as couches for casual gatherings.
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Crown Brew offers a selection of pastries, most of which are made from scratch in-house, like pop tartlets, scones and muffins available in a variety of seasonal flavors. You can also choose from one of the signature avocado toasts, including the G.O.A.T., which combines goat cheese, avocado, pistachio, black sesame and a drizzle of honey.
“At the time when we started no one else was doing avocado toast in the area,” Gravatt says. “Now we’re always trying to push the envelope with flavors, and we’re aiming for it to be the best it can be.” .
The Classic – sourdough topped with egg, avocado, everything bagel seasoning, housemade hummus glaze, greens and spices – remains the bestseller. Other signature toasts include seasonal varieties like Mediterranean or kimchi.
And it wouldn’t be a coffee shop without a variety of ways to enjoy your brew. It serves drip, pour overs, espresso drinks, cold brew and cold coffee flights. Like the food, the drink menu changes seasonally, but one of the most popular coffee offerings is the cold brew, which is sold in half-gallon jugs and is available black or with milk and other flavors added.
There’s also options for non-coffee drinkers, like a selection of teas and housemade lemonades. Choose from a classic lemonade, as well as infusions like strawberries, blueberries or mint. One crowd pleaser is the Hey Arnold, a lavender lemonade combined with cold brew and blueberry syrup.
If you want to enjoy Crown Brew at home, you can also purchase beans through its online store.
Crown Brew, 107 E. Union St., Marion, Illinois, 618.422.8808, https://www.crownbrewcoffee.com/