It has been less than a year since Brightside Cafe opened its doors to the Bloomington community, yet co-owners Abe Carney and John Moore have already celebrated several milestones and impacted a neglected customer base.
The cafe, which opened in February, has a 100% gluten-free menu that features pastries, breads, and other traditionally glutenous items that people with a gluten intolerance normally can not eat. One customer, Debbie Smith, was diagnosed with Celiac disease in 2012.
“It’s impacted my life a lot, and my families because of me,” said Smith.
According to the National Celiac Association, Celiac disease is “a genetic autoimmune condition that mainly affects the gastrointestinal tract when gluten is ingested.” This means that Smith can not consume anything that contains gluten, making going out to eat a daunting task.
“I feel like I should never go out to eat because I know there’s contamination because a lot of people don’t even understand the gluten allergy thing, the Celiacs thing,” said Smith.
Debbie Smith discusses her experience having Celiac disease and how Brightside Cafe has helped her journey.
Even food places that have gluten-free options can still be a risk for people like Smith. When appliances, utensils and surfaces are not properly sanitized cross contamination can happen between the gluten-free food item and gluten residue. Carney and Moore have taken the extra step in ensuring that customers feel safe eating at Brightside. At the end of September, the cafe received the Gluten-Free Food Program’s “Approved Mark of Trust” meaning that the preparation and service of gluten-free products at Brightside is safe for customers and endorsed by the NCA.
“…you can tell that it really means a lot to people to have a safe place to go and that makes us feel so great and it’s why we do it,” said Carney.
Carney and Moore met a couple of years ago while coaching baseball together. Between Moore’s personal experience with Celiac disease and Carney’s professional experience in the food industry, the idea for Brightside Cafe blossomed.
Brightside Cafe employees prepare bakery items for the day as customers come in and out.
“It’s not just a paycheck or a coffee shop, it’s a really unique, enjoyable way to help people,” said Carney.
Even community members without a gluten-restricted diet have found themselves enjoying the food options and atmosphere at Brightside Cafe.
“I brought my current husband here and he was nervous at first, but then they walked him through it and made him his quad espresso. And then, we shared biscuits and gravy and it was like such a cool little moment, special…” said Bloomington native Maxwell Cron.
Cron does not have a gluten intolerance, but said he likes to support local businesses such as Brightside Cafe. The deals and the food have continued to bring him back, at times with guests like his husband or mother.
“Ultimately, we just want to make sure that everyone that hasn’t found us that’s looking for a gluten-free option and can feel like it’s a safe place to eat, that’s really who we’re trying to make sure that they know that we’re here,” said Carney.
Carney recognizes that there is still a need in Bloomington that the cafe has yet to meet. He hopes to one day be closer to the campus and the students. As Brightside Cafe grows in popularity, customers can expect new food items and expanded store hours.
