Adrian is officially getting its first 7 Brew, after the city’s planning commission on May 5 signed off on a new drive-thru coffee stand in the southeast corner of the Meijer parking lot along U.S. 223. The compact kiosk is slated to serve the chain’s customizable coffees, energy drinks, lemonades and shakes and would be the first 7 Brew in Lenawee County. Commissioners ultimately voted yes, but not before a lengthy back-and-forth over how long the line could get and whether cars might back up toward the highway.
Planning commission signs off
The commission granted unanimous site-plan approval for a small, double-lane 7 Brew stand tucked into the southeast corner of the Meijer lot. At the meeting, the project engineer said the configuration is designed to stack a 17-car queue, and the city’s site-plan reviewer did not raise any objections. That account comes from The Lenawee Voice.
Where it will sit
The new stand is planned for a small retail plaza next to Meijer on U.S. 223, in a corner that already houses tenants such as Jersey Mike’s, Tropical Smoothie and Bits & Brews, according to WhatNow. The outlet notes that an exact kiosk address has not been released, and says Brew Horizons will share details once construction timing is set. When contacted by WhatNow, representatives for the franchise group were not available to comment.
Who’s building it
The project lists Brew Horizons as developer, a multi-state 7 Brew franchisee that runs dozens of the brand’s drive-thru stands and has committed to additional openings in Michigan, according to commercial real-estate materials. A Crexi listing for 7 Brew pad sites describes Brew Horizons as an established franchise group with locations in Florida, Alabama, Illinois and Michigan and more expansion planned in the region. The 7 Brew concept itself leans on a double-lane drive-thru format and a highly customizable menu geared to quick service, per 7 Brew.
Next steps and timeline
An opening date has not been announced yet. The planning commission’s approval clears a key local hurdle, but construction and remaining permits still have to be worked through. WhatNow reports that Brew Horizons plans to update the community as the project advances. For now, the unanimous vote is the closest thing to an official green light that the Adrian 7 Brew has received.
Why it matters
For shoppers and commuters along U.S. 223, the new kiosk will add a quick-stop coffee option on an already busy retail strip, with the double-lane design intended to keep the line moving. 7 Brew highlights speed, an extensive customization menu and a drive-thru-first layout, factors the company credits for its rapid expansion in recent years, according to 7 Brew. Once it opens, the Adrian stand will join a roster of national tenants at the Meijer plaza and continue the pattern of retail infill on the corridor.
