Heine Brothers Coffee: Savor the Brew and Chew the Fat

Upon meeting, regulars at a Heine Brothers' Coffee store frequently exclaim and then hug — like friends, not strangers awkwardly sharing space. Heine Brothers' homey atmosphere encourages patrons to linger, ignite acquaintances and nurture friendships. Consequently, each location in this locally-owned chain has its own group of regulars who meet frequently — sometimes daily — to exchange pleasantries and news.

You'll find students tapping on laptops or studying at a Heine Brothers'. But you'll be most taken by the clusters of people chatting while enjoying Heine Brothers' excellent coffee, tea, sandwiches, pastries and desserts. The coffee houses also host art shows, live music events, open-mic nights, weekly Scrabble tournaments and more.

Prices range from $1.80 for a small Coffee of the Day to $4.75 for a three-shot White Mocha coffee and $5.40 for a large frozen cappuccino. Teas range in price from $2.10 for a plain hot tea to $4.70 for a large chai.

Heine Brothers' brew isn't just excellent on the palate — it's excellent for the earth. All of Heine Brothers' coffees are fair trade, certified organic and shade grown, protecting the local economies and environment. Heine Brothers' takes sustainability even further with its locally-roasted coffee by composting its annual 60 tons of used coffee grounds and by taking in drop-off recycling.

The tasty panninis at Heine Brothers' come from Lotsa Pasta, a local gourmet foods retailer, while the bagels come from Nancy's Bagel Grounds. Kizito cookies and delicious cakes and tarts crafted by Desserts by Helen provide a great accompaniment to whatever you drink.

Love what you're drinking? Heine Brothers' packages its coffees and teas so you can brew the same thing at home. A pound of coffee runs $9.99. A pound of tea ranges from $6.15 to $8.20. You can order coffee, tea, accessories or gift cards online.

Heine Brothers' has seven locations around town: 2714 Frankfort Ave. in the Crescent Hill neighborhood; two in St. Matthews — 119 Chenoweth Lane and 4123 Shelbyville Road — and four in the Highlands — 1295 Bardstown Road (at Eastern Parkway), 1449 Bardstown Road (at Longest Avenue, across from the Mid-City Mall), 2200 Bardstown Road (at the Douglass Loop) and 3060 Bardstown Road (in the Gardiner Lane Shopping Center). Three locations (Chenoweth Lane, Gardiner Lane and Shelbyville Road) have drive-through windows. Nearly all have outdoor seating, too.

You can also get Heine Brothers' coffee at the University of Louisville's Tulip Tree Café (located in the Ekstrom Library) and at restaurants around the Louisville area.

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