Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of stories about shops in downtown Johnson City. Watch for the East Tennessean’s next issue for more.Not wanting to get involved in anything associated with Black Friday, I stayed as far away as I could from the mall and Roan Street. Keeping closer to home, I decided to stop by the Brew Plum for a coffee. It’s fun to hang out there because the tables and chairs are placed in the front window, which makes me feel like I’m part of the art display. Plus, I’m always up for a visit to a coffee shop.

I also find the people who own businesses downtown intriguing. In the face of the homogenized retail experience, owning an independent small business in the downtown is practically a political statement.

Kate Pierce, the owner and coffeemaker, was more than happy to make me a caramel macchiato and discuss very important things.

We discussed the downtown.

We talked about First Friday, small businesses, bike trails, parks, the train station and the future of Johnson City. It was great. If there’s one thing I enjoy more than coffee, it’s intelligent conversation with someone who has an opinion.

Pierce had a lot to say and I recommend going in to see her, having a cup of coffee, maybe strolling through the art gallery and discussing your own very important thing with her.

For me, this is what a downtown is all about. Downtowns are where the culture and ideas of a place are created and grown.

Downtown Johnson City is an interesting place. In many ways it’s the real manifestation of a cultural shift. You could write a book (and many have) on the movement from Main Street to the mall and big-box retailers and the impact that it has on small business and the local economy. You could criticize people (and many have) for not sharing a philosophical or political belief that the loss of the common space in a town wears away at the diverse fabric of a community. You could do these things, or you could open up a coffee shop.

Brew Plum has all the enticing coffee drinks plus smoothies and teas. Pierce uses the Ghiradelli flavorings for the coffee and she isn’t afraid to give a few extra pumps of the sweet stuff. She was also selling chocolate truffles that are made locally.

Brew Plum is just up the street from Artopia and across from the Hands On Museum. First Friday is coming up on Dec. 4 and the Johnson City Christmas parade takes place that night.

Brew Plum is located at 324 East Main St.

For more information, call (423) 946-1302 or visit their Web site at http://brewplum.tumblr.com.

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