2016 Joseph G.E. Knight Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence

David Lévesque

Owner, Brewed Awakenings Coffee House

David Lévesque, owner and President, had a vision for a coffeehouse that would serve the best cup of coffee in town and be a gathering place for the locals. The plan was simple: provide great food and beverages to be served by friendly, outgoing employees in a warm and inviting atmosphere. Brewed Awakenings Coffee House opened its doors June of 1996 in the center of Johnston, RI with just two employees, Kay & Joe Levesque (Dave’s mom and dad).

The concept took off, and before long Dave added a second location in South County Commons Plaza in Wakefield in November, 2003. Over several years, Brewed Awakenings expanded its menu to include specialty frozen drinks, lunch and breakfast sandwiches and pastries. The next location was completed in April, 2010 at the Centre of Cherry Hill (this was the first store with drive thru service). Located just one mile from the original coffeehouse, it became another gathering place in the town of Johnston.

In April 2012 another location was opened near Sockanossett Crossroads in Cranston on Pontiac Avenue, which boasts the “tallest” coffee cup in the state of Rhode Island. The fifth and largest coffeehouse in the country at 8,000 square feet opened in 2014 in the heart of Warwick on Bald Hill Road. The new location added some additional items to an expanded lunch and dinner menu, as well as offering a full liquor license.

When asked about his success, Dave says “we are proud of the progress we have made over the years, Brewed Awakenings is a successful business because of our loyal customers and our hardworking employees.” Dave has continued to grow Brewed Awakenings, while still sticking to his original plan to be the best coffeehouse in the state. Brewed Awakenings has over 100 employees today.

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