By: Ash Hochstettler
Staff-Writer
Welcome back to another week of Sip & Study! This week, I wanted to focus on somewhere I frequent every week to do volunteer work: The Well, a coffee house within walking distance of IU South Bend.
The coffee shop and venue is located at 2410 E Mishawaka Ave. The hours are late – 6-10 p.m. – which is different from most coffee houses. The Well is a nonprofit that donates to local philanthropic organizations in the South Bend area. The inside is cozy and welcoming with lots of table space, couches and other seating. There is always music of some kind playing in the background that varies depending on the day. There is also free Wi-Fi if needed and various places to charge devices.
There are board games to play at your leisure as well as other events that go on throughout the week. Another unique aspect of The Well is that it is also a music venue for local artists. There are shows with various bands that take suggested donations instead of mandatory upfront payments. On top of that, some other events include craft nights, game nights, knit-a-thons, open mic nights and other fundraising events such as pancake breakfasts.
The Well is very community focused and strives to make positive changes in the River Park neighborhood and the rest of South Bend. This is also seen by the fact that the coffee beans and other goods are sourced locally from Cloud Walking Coffee and Violet Sky Chocolate. Tea is also sourced from Apothica Teas in Niles, Mich., and The Well actually has its own citrus blend made specifically for them.
The coffee is very affordable, which is great for students. Not only is there coffee, but other options such as chai, italian sodas and pop. Although there are not extensive food options if you are looking for a meal, there are snacks and baked goods such as almond and chocolate biscotti. My favorite thing to get there is a mocha and chocolate biscotti.
Overall, The Well is one of my favorite places to be. The people there are extremely friendly and welcoming. This is reflected in how well loved and homey the space looks and feels when spending time there. It’s also an ideal student hangout and evening study spot due to the setup of tables, quiet atmosphere and lack of distractions. If you haven’t checked it out at The Well, make sure to soon!
