Local coffee shop Miller’s Brew is preparing to open their second location at West Regional Library, located at 7469 Century Circle, in Fayetteville. 

Kim and Karl Molnar opened Miller’s Brew Coffee Shop, a shop that doubles as a training center for adults with special needs, in the first quarter of 2023. It is an extension of the couple’s nonprofit organization Miller’s Crew, started in 2016. 

West Regional Library was built in 2010 with a cafe space, but until now that space has only been used as storage. Upon joining the library staff in 2021, Assistant County Manager and Library Director Faith B. Phillips saw the potential for the space and was eager to see it put to use. 

“I learned of Chairman Adams and our Board of Commissioners’ desire to meet the needs that had been expressed to them by several community members, needs for young folks who have special needs for employment in warm, nurturing environments [and] for job training and job experience. And so that’s how the idea came about, really working with the team here at the library and with county administration and the Board of Commissioners on what that vision would look like. And so we explored partnership opportunities, and then we approached Kim and Karl with Miller’s, and we talked with them. We explored the partnership, the opportunity, and we knew that they were the right partners for us with the passion that they have, the dedication that they have to providing job development and workforce experience and training and support for young people with special needs. It was the right fit for our library location,” shared Phillips. 

After almost two years in business at their premier location, the timing is right for Miller’s Brew to expand. This new location will allow Miller’s Brew to connect with and train even more crew members. 

“It was a no-brainer for us. One, we’re working with the county, and we work with people who really understand what we’re doing and understand our mission — our number one mission and vision for this entire process, if you will, is that we put our families first who have adults with developmental disabilities — and they get that after talking to them and meeting and them hearing our vision and what we wanted, those two things aligned, and so we really just came to the agreement that this would provide the best opportunity to spread out our crew members,” shared Kim Molnar. 

In their current space, Kim shared that they have no more room for bringing on additional crew members. 

“We cycle through over 55 crew members a week, and we have about 25 on the waiting list, waiting for training. And there’s just no more time in the day. We’re here six days a week, and we basically have maximized our ability to plug people in so that they get the individualized attention that we want them to have so that they can retain those skills,” shared Kim. 

The library is working with Miller’s Brew to help them get the space ready for operations from painting to installing equipment. Special Project Liaison Danielle Ellis will be working closely with the Miller’s Brew team to see that their branding and energy is curated in the new space. 

Kim also shared that the library recently received a grant to provide an inclusive playroom for children with special needs. This will provide further accommodations for the families that Miller’s Brew works to prioritize and serve. 

The new location will feature a full menu with fan favorites from their original location such as espressos, milkshakes, their own special brew of coffee and pastries provided by their continued partnership with Superior Bakery. 

Miller’s Brew anticipates a full opening in early 2025. Kim shared that ideally they hope to be in the space training people in January and to open in February. In the meantime, swing by Miller’s Brew in Haymount for delicious drinks and sweets and to support their mission.

For more information on Miller’s Brew Coffee Shop, visit millerscrew.com/millers-brew-coffee-shop or facebook.com/MillersBrewCoffeeShop.