Subtle music plays in the background as the sun begins to glisten along Smooth Brew Coffee’s light blue accents.
Smooth Brew’s newest location in downtown Phoenix opened two months ago, and the shop has already begun to show it’s more than just a coffee shop.
Owners Clint Coonfer and Craig Matthew set out to make a coffee shop for the community. They spend much of their time by giving back to locals, whether it be artists or a nonprofit.
Among the nonprofits the shop supports is G Road, an organization that helps support young adults through creative programming. The programs operates within a four-mile radius of downtown Phoenix to help with after-school settings in the city.
G Road scheduled a creative writing program during the semester at Smooth Brew’s 15th Street and McDowell location that allows kids within the area to write poetry together.
In March, the children will perform their poetry at the Mesa Arts Center.
“I mean, poetry and coffee, they go hand-in hand. The program is within walking distance, and the kids can come in there and be in an area that’s aesthetically pleasing,” said G Road Director Daniel Stanton.
While G Road plays a big part in Coonfer and Matthew’s lives, Matthew also works on his own with nonprofit Movies Making A Difference.
The Phoenix-based nonprofit exists to raise awareness of social issues such as human trafficking, sexual abuse and child labor.
Matthew is close friends with Movies Making A Difference Founder Diana Davis,which resulted in him playing a big role in the nonprofit’s second film.
“I actually play the jerk,” Matthew said.
Since then, Matthew has held an awareness night for the nonprofit at Smooth Brew’s downtown location and is even trying his hand at making a trailer for their newest film.
However, movies aren’t the only form of entertainment Matthew has experience in.
With experience in the music industry, including multiple song releases and an upcoming album, Matthew also helps local musicians get exposure. Whether it be for art or music, helping local artists take the next step in their careers has become a huge passion for Matthew and Coonfer.
Local country artist and 2007 World Series of Poker Player of the Year Tom Schneider has a deep love and respect for what Coonfer and Matthew are accomplishing when it comes to the local music scene.
“I think all communities need a place where someone can go play that isn’t perfect. A place where you can get up and appreciate it,” Schneider said.
In addition to music, Coonfer and Matthew also help support visual arts. When employee Juliette Valencia asked to create an art show in the shop, Coonfer and Matthew agreed immediately.
“It feels even better when someone asks you to be at an art show. I wanted to provide that first time experience for some of my artists,” Valencia said.
The upcoming show on Nov. 2, YOUR WORLD, will showcase art in multiple forms, including paintings, digital works and live music.
Smooth Brew is also offering a 15% discounted admission to the art show for ASU students with a university ID.
Contact the reporter at amontini@asu.edu.
