The Wise Old Owl Says . . . “Perk Up”
Antonia Florence, staff writer
The aroma of freshly ground and gently brewed coffee wafts through the hallway tickling my nose. As I approach the tiny shop, my eyes feast on the freshly baked delicacies arranged on pedestals, serving platters and an enclosed pastry case. Regardless of the order made, the line moves rapidly and no one waits long.
Perk Up is located on campus in the main building where the former Mermaid Express was located just across the hall from the library.
Mariellen (Ellie) Beverly jumped at the chance to start her own business. The then 21-year-old Beverly and her business partner, a successful entrepreneur, had little time to prepare but managed to organize business necessities, line up quality vendors and open Perk Up the first day of PVCC’s spring semester, 2016.
Beverly grew up in the business world with her mother formally owning a pet store and her father being a contractor. She said, “Being an entrepreneur runs in my blood.”
“I have never taken a business class and have never attended college,” Beverly continued. Her direction has come through work experiences and guidance from her mentors. Beverly presently employs one previous student, one current student, and works many hours herself. Perk Up opens at 7:30 a.m. and closes at 7 p.m. with the exception being 2 p.m. Fridays.
Quality, fair pricing and a diverse offering seems to be Beverly’s mantra. Perk Up uses Shenandoah Joe coffee which starts at $2 per cup. Same-day coffee refills using the original cup are only a dollar. While there, ask about their coffee rewards card. Teas are $2.25, and fresh baked goods are from either Albemarle Baking Company which delivers daily or are from Green House Coffee in Crozet.
These pastries run the gamut of a heavy Monkey Cake which incorporates banana and pineapple and is topped with cream cheese frosting; fruit and cheese Danishes where the pastry flakes and melts in your mouth; and rich pecan topped sticky buns. There are also an assortment of muffins. From another USDA inspected kitchen, come yummy cake pops made by another young, fledgling entrepreneur.
For individuals with dietary differences, Ellie offers gluten-free brownies, vegan Power Balls and individually wrapped CLIF Bar Energy Bars. Fresh fruit may also be available. For those who order smoothies and have a sensitivity to nuts, they are not used in the blenders. This minimizes cross exposure.
Also on the menu, Perk Up offers a delicious lunch of a plain croissant, chicken salad with nuts and cranberries, a choice of yogurts and a variety of drinks such as milk, orange juice, lemonade, La Croix seltzer and Izze sparkling juice. Perk Up is not just a coffee and pastry shop but a place to grab lunch or dinner on the go. If you do not have the energy to chew or extra hands to hold plates of food, perhaps a smoothie with optional protein powder may be the way to go.
Since January, I have sampled more than half of Perk Up’s food with all but one receiving two thumbs up. The cinnamon buns are a bit dry for my preference but may well be perfect for dunking. My favorite afternoon pick up is a cup of steaming hot dark-roasted house coffee with “room for milk” and a piece of very moist apple cinnamon cake with cream cheese frosting as I curl up someplace quiet and study.
The next time you are in Perk Up’s proximity, give it a try. Enjoy the staff’s gentle, efficient and friendly service. The price range is friendly, in fact, according to Beverly’s daily accounting program, the average customer sale equals $3.50 each. Oh, and all prices include tax!
