Wells County has a new destination for coffee and community. The Wells County Chamber of Commerce recently joined local leaders, churches, families, and supporters for a ribbon-cutting celebration at The Well Coffee Co., located at 112 S. Main St. in Bluffton. The coffee shop and gathering space is part of the Wells County Dream Center.
Opened three weeks ago, The Well located at, is owned and operated by Brandon and Megan Gerber. It is one of the social enterprises of the Wells County Dream Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to helping others find hope in Jesus Christ.
The Dream Center’s story began several years ago, when Brandon and Megan recognized the potential of the historic building Brandon’s parents have owned for more than eight years. Long woven into the community’s history, the building has housed a food bank, radio station, antique store, title company, funeral home, and law offices.
“We felt like God put this building on our heart,” Brandon Gerber shared. “It was a place that had meant many things over the course of time, and we thought it would be incredible to see it transformed from a place of mourning into a place of life, hope, and excitement for our community.” From that vision emerged a community hub built around three key ideas: care, coffee, and community.
At the heart of that vision is The Well, a welcoming coffee shop where people can connect, work, meet, and build relationships. Beyond the café, the Dream Center offers a co-working area, an upstairs gathering room, and a family-friendly loft designed with children in mind.
Even the name reflects that purpose. Inspired by John 4 and the story of Jesus meeting the woman at the well, The Well represents the team’s belief that every person is only one encounter with Jesus away from a completely different life. “We want anybody, with any background or any past, to be able to walk in, be seen, be noticed, be valued, and be loved,” Gerber said. “We want this to be a place where people know they are not forgotten.”
That commitment extends beyond the building through DC Care, an initiative that connects local needs with people ready to help. Using the Dream Center app, individuals can submit requests while volunteers respond with assistance such as yard work, groceries, or support for people and families without a strong network.
Since launching, the organization has completed approximately 25 projects across Wells County. Its Second Saturday Serves events also bring volunteers together to assist local families, widows, single mothers, and others in need. “We saw willing people. We saw needs and people already doing so many things,” Gerber explained. “We thought, could there just be some simple infrastructure put in place to help connect the needs?”
That emphasis on connection—not duplication—is central to the Dream Center’s approach. Board member Kody Kumfer said the organization aims to link existing resources with the people who need them most. “We wanted to create something new,” Kumfer said. “There are so many resources already available in Wells County. We want to help connect those resources with the needs that are out there.”
Board member Jordan Arnold described the Dream Center as a framework that makes those connections easier. “We wanted to cast a vision and create an operating system for people to operate out of,” Arnold said. “Too often, we don't know or hear about the needs. This is the ability to connect those resources with those needs.”
Partnership is another important piece of the vision. Board member Garrett Bucher highlighted opportunities for The Well and the Dream Center to work alongside local churches while offering a place where people can gather, grow, and serve together. Ultimately, the team hopes The Well becomes a space where people feel comfortable coming as they are and where meaningful relationships form through consistent, everyday interactions.
As Arnold put it, “People aren't impressed by what you do one time. What changes people is what you do consistently over time.”
Looking ahead, Gerber hopes The Well will become far more than a restored historic building. He envisions it as part of a renewed vision for Wells County—a community known for caring for and serving one another. “I would be disappointed if we weren't known for our love,” Gerber said. “We want to see lives transformed, and as lives are transformed, we believe our local churches can multiply, and our communities can flourish.”
Community members can also reserve The Well’s gathering spaces. The upstairs room accommodates approximately 80 people with tables or up to 100 with chairs, while an additional gathering space holds about 35. Reservations during coffee shop hours are available through the Wells County Dream Center app, with additional rental options offered outside regular hours.
The Dream Center team invites community members to download the Wells County Dream Center app to explore The Well, upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, service projects, and other ways to get involved. Gerber summarized the heart behind the work simply: “We're all pretty ordinary, but He's extraordinary. It's an honor to serve Him.”
Please view more photos from the event on our Facebook page.