NISC Programs of Excellence 

• Year Awarded: 2026
• Programs of Excellence Name: Books & Brews
• Hosting Organization: Edina Senior Center

About Books & Brews

Designed as a monthly, afterhours gathering in partnership with a local coffee shop, Books & Brews creates an inviting, neutral space where adults age 55+ come together to share what they are reading, exchange recommendations, and build meaningful social connections.

The program serves two key groups: older adults—particularly those who may not attend or feel connected to the senior center—and the local small business community.

"Many participants are socially independent, still active in the workforce, or hesitant to engage in programs labeled specifically for 'seniors,'" said Edina Senior Center Recreation Supervisor Nicole Gorman. "By hosting this program at a beloved neighborhood coffee shop, we successfully reach a demographic that might otherwise remain isolated from traditional aging services. The coffee shop also benefits from increased visibility, strengthened community ties, and the opportunity to reinforce its role as a neighborhood gathering space."

The shop opens exclusively after hours for the Books & Brews program, but participants often return during regular business hours, creating sustained economic and relational value.

"Traditional senior programming, while valuable, does not always reach the full spectrum of older adults in our community," Gorman said. "Some individuals perceive senior centers as serving a limited age or interest groups, or they may prefer settings that feel less institutional. Books & Brews addresses this gap by offering programming in an alternative, community-based location.

"This approach reduces stigma, increases accessibility, and creates new pathways for engagement amoung adults ages 55-100. The program's distinctiveness lies in its setting and partnership model.

Meeting in a cozy coffee shop-rather than a municipal facility fosters warmth, comfort, and authenticity that cannot easily be replicated at a traditional senior center.

"The atmosphere encourages relaxed conversation and organic relationship-building.

Books & Brews is also intentionally multigenerational. Gorman said participants range from 55 to 91 years old. Both the facilitator and coffee shop owner are in their 40s.

"This dynamic creates vibrant intergenerational dialogue and breaks down age-related silos," Gorman said.

To replicate this model:

• Identify a local cafe or small business willing to host after-hours gatherings
• Establish a clear partnership outlining scheduling, expectations, and mutual benefits
• Design a simple, lowbarrier format—informal discussion and books haring requires minimal supplies and staffing
• Promote through both senior networks and communitywide channels to reach non-traditional participants

"Books & Brews demonstrates that social connection thrives when programs meet people where
they are, both physically and culturally," Gorman said, "transforming ordinary community spaces into powerful hubs of belonging."

Key takeaways from Books & Brews:

• The program increased social connection and strengthened a sense of belonging among older adults who may not otherwise engage in traditional senior center programming. 
• Many participants return monthly, forming friendships and deepening connections. 
• A partnership with with Edina Coffee Roasters made the program possible, keeping it both affordable and accessible while contributing significantly to its success.

About Edina Senior Center

Edina Senior Center operates as part of the City of Edina Minnesota Parks & Recreation department. Hosted activities include the annual Earth Day Community Clothing Swap, educational classes on such topics as estate planning, home safety, and advance care planning, and meals. Other offerings include tech help classes, caregiver support groups, health insurance counseling, and day trips.