PARTNER SPOTLIGHT: Renck’s
Just a short drive from Cincinnati, Renck’s is a family-run shop that offers both charm and one of the best cappuccinos you’ll find. They are finishing up their first year of business, and we are so happy to be partnering with them!
Located in Bright, Indiana, Renck’s is an anchor at the center of town. It is in a building that has been the center of the community since the late 1800s, and Addie and Chris intend to carry that tradition forward in the space. You can come for a cup of coffee or, since its October, a “chaider,” enjoy a delicious house-made scone, and sit and talk with friends or explore the history of the building through the pictures and portraits hanging throughout the space.
Find out more about the history and vision for Renck’s in our conversation with Addie.
Can you tell us the story behind your business – how it started and what inspired you to open a coffee shop?
The building began as the Gibson family’s general store in the late 1800s. In 1921, George Gibson added the upstairs room as a community gathering space, and for a time the local high school even met there.
The Renck family purchased the store in the 1930s and operated it as a full-service general store for more than 50 years. Even through later changes in ownership and use, the community continued calling the building Renck’s Store. Keeping the name felt like the natural way to honor its history and the place it has held in Bright for generations.
What is your approach to coffee at Renck’s Store, and what role does it play in your business?
Until shortly before we opened, my husband and I knew almost nothing about coffee. We honestly thought black coffee was supposed to taste terrible—it was simply something you tolerated to get your morning going.
Working with Deeper Roots completely changed that for us. We discovered that coffee is actually supposed to taste good all by itself! We also learned how much intentionality it takes to brew coffee and espresso well. From the beans and equipment to the grind, water and training, truly good coffee does not happen by accident. One of our goals at Renck’s Store is to help people in our area discover the same thing: coffee can be something you genuinely enjoy, not just something you need.
How do you hope people feel when they visit your café?
We hope people feel welcome! The building is historic and beautiful, but we never want it to feel formal or uninviting. We want it to feel comfortable, familiar and full of life. Whether someone comes in every morning, visits for the first time, or brings their kid (or grandchild) in for one of our kids' craft days, we want them to feel that there is a place for them here. Renck’s Store belongs to the community, and we want everyone to feel that.
You’re located in Bright, Indiana. How would you describe your community, and what role does your shop play in it?
Bright is a growing community near Cincinnati, with young families moving in alongside families who have lived here for generations. We want Renck’s Store to be useful to all of them - a warm, comfortable place for good coffee, special scones, and time with friends.
Whatever we do here, we want to do it well. We’re intentional people, and we hope that care shows through in everything the store offers and in how the space is used.
What does the future hold for you and the team? Any big plans on the horizon?
Our biggest plan is to keep evolving with what the community needs. For a small store like ours to be here for a long time, we can’t remain rigid. That means trying new things, paying attention to what works and being willing to adjust—or even pull something—when it doesn’t.
There are ideas we would love to explore, including a small bodega with useful take-home foods and products, but we’ll have to see what the community wants from us. We also want to make sure the building is being used, so we plan to keep developing rentals and gatherings in the upstairs space. More than anything, we want Renck’s Store to remain useful, adaptable and part of Bright for generations to come.
Renck’s is a staple of the area in Bright, Indiana. Nearby are several beautiful nature preserves and conservancies that are worth the trip. Be sure to stop for a coffee on your way!