Our 'tony' town adds a bank

On Nov. 11, 2007, The Birmingham News published a story that stated, "Birmingham's Red Mountain Bank applied to open a branch in Brentwood, Tenn., a tony suburb of Nashville, signaling the boutique bank's first move outside the state."
I just hate it when someone calls us "tony," though my friend Jill Burgin did blog last week about moms wearing $250 sandals to the Civitan ball fields (http://www.seafoodchicken.blogspot.com/).
But what the Birmingham article predicted less than two years ago came true Monday with the opening of the Birmingham-based bank's first true Tennessee location.
Except for watching the transformation from crud to cream over the past few months, I knew little about the bank now at the corner of Franklin Road and Maryland Way. I walked in as a stranger and out as a potential customer, at least of their Red Mountain Bank coffee (keep reading for details).
Don't look for teller stations and "the rail" as we used to call it when I worked as a United Virginia Bank teller during college. As Rick Archer Jr., market president, explained it, Red Mountain has a "three-step rule" all staffers are trained to follow. That would be that before any customer has taken three steps into the branch, someone will be there to greet them.
"Our goal is to get to know you as an individual," he explained while standing in the taupe lobby that's still in progress, but already features leather chairs, big-screen TVs and a coffee and water bar adorned with fresh sunflowers.
Which brings me back to the coffee. In its Alabama branches, RMB sells two kinds of coffee, The Daily Grind, featuring beans from Indonesia and Central America, and an Investment Blend, with beans from Indonesia and East Africa. All proceeds go to local charities.
It seems that the city of Brentwood has some ordinance that prevents the bank from selling the coffee, so here it will make the bags available for donations. Where will those donations go? The staff is still trying to decide. Why don't you make a suggestion? I think it should stay right here in Brentwood or at least Williamson County. How about Happy Tales Humane perhaps, or what about Bridges of Williamson County?
Unfortunately, even our "tony" city and home county are home to many non-profits helping more people -- and animals -- than ever before.
I didn't sign up for anything today -- when I asked if they were offering an interest-free, opening-day loan special they looked perplexed. But I'll definitely be back for more coffee.

Baptists have best bar in town

Made a huge discovery yesterday that must be shared, because from the looks of it, those responsible are trying to keep it pretty quiet. Can't say I blame them. If I was a Baptist church with a great bar, I might try to keep it to myself too. Wouldn't want those Methodists or Presbyterians trying to get a piece of the action. Word might get out and next thing you know there would be bars all over the place.
And this is Brentwood. If Nashville's the buckle of the Bible Belt, that makes our city the belt strap for sure.
Indeed, the Connection Cafe is hard to find if you don't know what you're looking for. It's definitely not following the old marketing rule of the corner effect -- where similar, and competing business, all spring up at the same corner. There's no directional signage, at least not yet. And you don't find any "Happy Hour from 3-6" flyers posted on the light poles either.
But, if you're looking for a great cup of coffee, lunch or a red velvet cupcake piled high with frosting, it's worth following the "seek and ye shall find" formula.
After voting yesterday, I turned left onto the new Mallory Lane Extension that Brentwood Baptist and Fellowship Bible churches so conveniently got started for us, stoplight and all.
Though I had no idea where it was, I stayed on the new road until I saw what appeared to be the likely entrance. The large lettering proclaiming the building as the "Connection Center" served as a clue.
What greeted me inside was a marvel. A coffee bar that far surpasses anything else in town. Starbucks seems like a closet in comparison.
Cafe manager Jonathan Mayfield and barrista John Paul Penrod are an affable pair. They shared how one recent day Fellowship lost its power so a lot of its staff brought their laptops over to take advantage of the cafe's free wifi and spent the day with their neighbors.
The cupcakes are made by Ivy Cake in Franklin. There are lots of other food options too. Once I get off this pesky South Beach Diet, I plan to raid the pastry case.
In the meantime, if you're looking for new place to get a cup of coffee, have a quiet lunch or meet up with a life coach or friends, check it out. It's worth the search. And everyone's welcome, there are no "Must be 21 and a Baptist to enter" signs. This Methodist plans to make it a regular stop.
The Connection Cafe is open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and 7 a.m.-7p.m. Sundays.

Coming up: I've heard great reports from The Perch, another new coffee house in town. Will let you know what I think as soon as I visit! Feel free to share your thoughts on local food and beverage spots too.