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Hidden Gems: Meet Donna Balin of The Gathery

Today we’d like to introduce you to Donna Balin.

Hi Donna, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Serving others and entertaining has always been my passion and owning a coffee shop/cafe has always been a dream. That dream came true last year when the opportunity arose. My husband and I jumped at the chance to purchase and restore the old Mewis Cafe building and reopen a coffee/eat house. We are located on the historic downtown Bellville square across from the Austin County Courthouse.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has been a relatively smooth road with all the normal “new” business challenges. The community has embraced us with open arms.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
The Gathery is located in a historical landmark building dating back to 1885. It sits right on the Town Square in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Bellville, Texas. We believe that the best things in life are the people we meet and the journey along the way, and it all starts around the table. Our new casual coffee and eat house fulfills several needs in the community. The eatery brings people together through food and fellowship. We offer locally-sourced breakfast, lunch, coffee, and in-between meals at affordable prices. Our goal is to use as many local, natural, hormone and antibiotic-free ingredients and products as possible. We bring fellowship to the community by creating and hosting various events. Some of the events include educational classes, fun game nights, local musicians, and running clubs.

Contact Info:


Image Credits
Kelley Sweet Photography
Prudence Allwein Photography

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