Brewella’s is a quaint coffee shop at 16806 Madison Avenue in Lakewood, known for its fun decorations—like the iconic black-and-white wallpaper accent wall—and delicious crepes.
Brewella’s first opened in 2018 and has been a smash hit ever since. The space is filled with good music, festive decorations, and a delicious aroma from the homemade crepes. The goal was to add something to Lakewood that was not already prominent—crepes. All of the crepes are delicious, but the fan favorite for the Brew Crew is the Nutella and strawberry crepe. “The hot chocolate is also a must-have at Brewella’s,” said Indigo Moncrief.
Immediately after entering, we were greeted by lots of spooky spirit and kind welcomes from the employees. Fortunately, we had the opportunity to talk to one of the owners, Chris Murphy, about the origins and goals for Brewella’s. Murphy and his husband, Joe Keppler, had the idea to open a crepe shop and wanted to focus on the vibe and decorations of the place. The name Brewellas took inspiration from Cruella, the Disney character. While not mean-spirited, Murphy said, “the fierce, amazing, beautiful old lady…who looks really good.” The decorations are meant to feel like a spooky, stylish old lady decorated it, hence the name. Brewella’s is the perfect place to catch up with an old friend, do work, or just enjoy the cozy, welcoming atmosphere.
Brewella’s celebrates every holiday with decorations that are truly amazing; most are handmade or thrifted and compliment the vibe of the cafe. Don’t be fooled, though, when it’s said that some decorations were handmade—they still look professionally made or even store-bought. The effort and dedication put into the cafe is evident throughout. “I made those spider webs; those are all crocheted,” Murphy said. “In the winter season, we hand-cut all the snowflakes ourselves.” It’s a true display of their art and vision for the cafe they wanted to create.
The decorations are not the only things changing throughout the year. With the changing decorations also comes a rotating specials menu featuring everything from coffee to crepes to non-caffeinated beverages. The fall menu features an array of options such as the “Jack-O-Latte” and the “Witch’s Brew,” and the crepe selection doesn’t disappoint either, featuring a candy apple crepe and a pumpkin spice crepe. Looking ahead to Valentine’s Day, Brewella’s offers a strawberry mocha, which “complements and goes with the Valentine’s Day decorations so much, and not to mention, it is absolutely delicious,” said Lauren Lamparyk.
The community supporting Brewella’s is also very strong. While they have many devoted customers and regulars, they were also able to build a brand and a name for themselves during one of the hardest times for small businesses. While COVID-19 was a difficult obstacle to overcome, it showcased the power of their amazing crepes and an old woman’s touch.
The new year will bring an exciting change for Brewella’s as they plan to move to the corner of Madison and Wagar. This new location, only a few blocks away, will offer more space and new opportunities. There will be additional seating, more room for decorations, and the addition of a full kitchen will allow for new menu items and more events, such as hosting local artists. Despite the move, the new spot will still retain the same Cruella-inspired image and iconic black-and-white wall. Brewella’s expects to open the new location in 2026, so keep an eye out and visit in the new year!
Brewella’s is a must-visit gem in the Lakewood cafe scene with amazing crepes, coffee, and hot chocolate, while also being an artistic outlet for Murphy and Keppler, which is a key part of what makes Brewella’s so special. The unique and elaborate decorations grab the attention of anyone passing by and make Brewella’s a memorable place for those who stop inside. Brewella’s is open Tuesdays through Sundays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., so stop by to say farewell to the old location. Be sure to check out the new location when it opens in 2026.
