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7 Brew Drive-Thru Coffee got unanimous approval recently from the Kokomo Plan Commission to build its eighth Indiana location at 1728 E. Markland Ave. The Fayetteville, Ark.-based company has seven locations already in Indiana, and the Markland Avenue site was approved by the Kokomo Plan Commission’s Plat Committee earlier this month.
The new drive-thru beverage provider will be located behind the planned Raising Cane’s chicken fingers restaurant on northwest corner of Markland Avenue and Ind. 931 on the property that formerly was home to a pet store.
Co-Owner Larry Wilson of parent company, Brew Crew LLC, described 7 Brew as “Chick-fil-A marrying Starbucks and having a child.”
Coffee is delivered straight to an individual’s vehicle with the menu having “an almost singular focus on beverages.”
The present business plan is to open 26 new 7 Brew stores in 2023. According to the developer’s representative, main construction on the Kokomo location will start in early fall. To find out more about 7 Brew Drive-Thru Coffee go to https://7brew.com.
Library, Solidarity team up for financial literacy
Everyone from kids to adults recently had the opportunity to learn about financial literacy, thanks to the Kokomo Howard County Public Library (KHCPL) and Solidarity Community Federal Credit Union. The two teamed up to provide education using Banzai!, an online teaching tool focused on things like getting a loan, setting a household budget, saving money, and setting financial goals.
The library held two sessions of Banzai! Training; one for kids and one for adults. And for those who participated and took the online courses, Solidarity offered a $25 reward for new and existing account holders.
“This program is an opportunity for patrons to come in, sit down, and learn some financial literacy skills,” said reference librarian Emily Hoover, who conducted the Banzai! sessions. “The Banzai! website is available to anyone; it's all online. The courses are self-paced, so you can kind of come and go as you please.”
Hoover explained that Solidarity selected the library as its partner for the promotion due to the resources it provides, such as internet access and support materials.
“There are specific courses on the site that allow you to get the $25 credit (with Solidarity),” said Hoover. “They go over basic things like saving, how credit cards work, how your debit card works, budgeting, all kinds of things. But they also just have a slew of other options, too.”
For those who went through the course at the library, Solidarity offered the $25 reward, which is deposited into the participant’s new or existing account. Local resident Xochitl Cruz participated in the Banzai! session for adults on July 11. While she was there to learn more about the lending process for purchasing a home, she was surprised by the Solidarity offer.
"That's a bonus. I didn't even know about that,” Cruz said.
Hoover explained that the participation deadline for the library and Solidarity promotion is July 20, but Banzai! is available to anyone at any time online at www.banzai.org. And Solidarity continues to offer $25 to new and existing account holders for completion of the “Learn Money Basics,” “Learn Financial Skills,” and “Master Financial Skills” courses on the website until the end of the promotion.
Hoover added that the library staff will happily assist anyone through the process, even if they weren’t able to attend the special events.
“There really is something for everyone,” said Hoover. “I think it's something that a lot of people don't know about. It's really a great program, and if someone would want to come out, we'd be happy to get them set up on our computers to take the courses.”
For additional information about the Banzai! Financial literacy program, visit www.banzai.org or visit any KHCPL location.