-
Rachel Brunson, center, owner of Vintage Arts Coffeehouse and Bistro, with her sisterly staff — Hannah Booher (left) and Scarlett Booher. -
Lemon Herb Mediterranean Chicken Salad with Classic Reuben sandwich on toasted marbled rye. -
Boutique 512 is located in room No. 18 in Vintage Arts Coffeehouse and Bistro.
Amidst the sleepy buildings in downtown Granger sits Vintage Arts Coffeehouse & Bistro, a destination for shoppers, diners, those looking for a quick coffee or a place to relax as they pass through town.
On the window, curly letters announce: “Shop inside! 40+ Vendors.” Upon entering, guests are greeted with the sweet smell of fresh waffles, or a whiff of the daily soup special. After ordering a bite to eat, customers can browse the wide variety of merchandise: clothes, jewelry, art, home decor, toys, pet items and furniture. A bulletin board has town announcements. Wi-Fi is also offered, and helps people without an internet connection at their house.
“My goal was to have something for everybody,” Owner Rachel Brunson said.
Ms. Brunson said the antiques and boutiques lure in a certain clientele looking for interesting items, while the food and coffee offering bring in people who are just looking for a bite to eat. Ms. Brunson said the only other restaurants in Granger are Market Kitchen, Scotty's Waterin Hole & Feedbag and The Cotton Country Club, which have limited hours throughout the week.
“If I didn’t have the food and coffee, I wouldn’t be here,” she said. “There are so many antique shops in little towns that are closing down. Granger is tiny, there aren’t a lot of businesses here. Every little town needs a coffee shop and needs somewhere to hang out.”
On the menu
Ms. Brunson used to work at Karen’s Courthouse Cafe and Creamery, which used to operate on the Square in Georgetown. In September of 2021, she opened Vintage Arts Coffeehouse & Bistro in downtown Granger.
Ms. Brunson brought a few items from Karen’s Courthouse Cafe and Creamery along with her, including the classic reuben with secret sauce. Popular lunch items include the chicken salad sandwich and country club sandwiches. There are also salads on the menu.
Breakfast is served all day. Offerings include stuffed waffles and build-your-own breakfast sandwiches. “Our stuffed waffles are really out of this world,” she said. “It’s a seven-inch belgian waffle and you can choose your inside— up to three toppings. My favorite is blueberry and sausage. It’s all baked inside the waffle [by being sprinkled into the batter].”
Ms. Brunson runs the restaurant and retail shop with the help of two locals, Hannah and Scarlett Booher.
“Hannah and Scarlett are sisters,” Ms. Brunson explained. “These girls are the best employees I've ever had. They’re fantastic.”
Hannah and Scarlett do everything from making coffee and food, to waiting tables and helping with retail. The shop has many regular customers— some who come and pick up their order like the teachers at Granger High School— and others who sit and chat. A group of farmers in Granger like the breakfast so much they come every morning to get a bite to eat and drink coffee.
“They’re like, ‘we just want plain ole coffee, ’ ” Ms. Brunson laughed. “I got a couple of ‘em hooked on lattes and girly coffee. But I call the black drip coffee ‘Farmer Coffee’ because they don’t need any of that fru-fru coffee.”
Retail offerings
Vintage Arts Coffeehouse & Bistro is in a large building that has two main retail spaces in addition to the coffee house. There is a large warehouse accessible through the coffee shop that has merchandise from many local vendors.
There is also a converted dental office next door that houses individual merchants. What used to be patient rooms are small boutique spaces rented by local artisans. Current retailers include: Boutique 972, J&J curiosities, The Mercantile Exchange Co., Clarie Belle, Two Soapy Goats and Proper Pieces.
There will be even more to see come April 15, when the store expands into the warehouse behind the dental office.
“I love this little town,” Ms. Brunson said. “Just being able to be a part of it and to provide that place for people to be able to come and feel at home. I just want to help people grow their businesses and this is the place to do it.”
The first Saturday of each month, Ms. Brunson invites any vendor to come and set up a table in front of the store. She doesn’t charge them for doing so, and sometimes there is live music.
Vintage Arts Coffeehouse & Bistro is currently accepting applications from vendors who would like to showcase their merchandise. To submit an application, message them on Facebook or call the store at 737-787-7627. The store is open from 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday.