Oklahoma’s She Brews Opens Larger Cafe Supporting Women After Incarceration

Inside the new She Brews cafe in Claremore, Oklahoma. All images courtesy of She Brews.

Oklahoma nonprofit She Brews Coffee Roasters has opened a larger coffee shop northeast of Tulsa in downtown Claremore, providing more training and career opportunities for women transitioning from incarceration.

Inside, bright yellow and pink rings cover portions of the street-facing windows, while exposed brick, floral patterns, dark ceilings and strands of lights contribute to a colorful, communal setting. Beyond the welcoming community vibe, the expanded space also gives She Brews more room for the job training at the heart of the nonprofit’s mission.

The new shop replaces the organization’s original downtown Claremore location, while a separate Claremore drive-through has also closed, leaving She Brews with two shops, including its cafe in Tulsa.

“The larger location serves our organization in two ways,” She Brews Chief Operating Officer Daniel Miller recently told Daily Coffee News. “One, we have more room for our customers, as our old location was pretty small and confining; and two, we are now able to provide additional job skills.”

At She Brews, those skills may include working the bar, roasting, sales, service or administration. The organization also seeks to support women farther along the supply chain, focusing its sourcing on women-owned farms when possible. The current coffee lineup includes offerings from Ethiopia, Colombia and Brazil.

“We want to be able to contribute to the elevation of standards of living for women stakeholders at every level of partnership with us, so we do the best we can for this part of our supply chain,” Miller said. “When that is not possible, we focus on smaller, family-owned farms that participate in ethical trade, as well as agricultural practices that minimize environmental impact.”

She Brews roasts at the Tulsa location on a Stronghold S9X, with program participants also gaining roasting experience. The nonprofit’s current lead roaster, Kieona, began as a barista then moved into a wholesale assistant position before taking the lead role, according to the company. 

Espresso at the Tulsa shop is prepared on a Victoria Arduino Eagle Tempo, Miller said, while the new Claremore location uses a Nuova Simonelli Aurelia Wave. Beyond espresso-based drinks, the Claremore menu includes drip coffee, cold brew and other drinks alongside a full breakfast and lunch menu, plus pastries baked in-house.

“One of the most in-demand positions in every store I worked in was in bakery department, so I had the idea that a baking program, where we not only bake our own pastries, but are eventually able to provide baked goods to other retailers,” Miller said, noting that the broader goal is to build transferable skills that can lead to higher-paying jobs.

She Brews was founded by Rhonda Bear, whose own experience with addiction and incarceration informed the organization’s mission. Bear initially started selling drinks from a flea market booth in Claremore. Community support later helped the operation move into a storefront. The nonprofit organization was formed in 2012.

“Rhonda’s own journey through addiction recovery and incarceration led her to consider coffee because it was a luxury item in prison that many women relied on and could get excited about,” Miller said.

The coffee operation has since grown alongside a broader transition program that provides housing, mentoring, employment and assistance as women work toward greater independence and, in some cases, reunification with their children. Miller said job training typically lasts six to nine months, depending on each participant’s experience and circumstances.

“We do keep in touch with many of the women who graduate our program, and they occupy a variety of jobs, ranging from service positions to ministry work,” said Miller. “Some of them work with us in a salaried capacity as well.”

Miller said the response from both participants and customers to the new Claremore location has been overwhelmingly positive. While there are no current plans for future openings, the She Brews crew plans to expand the bakery operation while welcoming more of the Claremore community.

“I always love to tell people that in over two years with She Brews, I have never had a negative customer interaction,” said Miller, adding, “not one.” 

She Brews’ new shop is located at 408 W. Will Rogers Blvd. in Claremore, Oklahoma.

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