Red Swing’s Journey to Serve Community and Connection
Photos by Jamie Plain
Brittany and Brandon Dukes, a dynamic husband-and-wife duo from Owensboro, Kentucky, along with their two children, Bristol and Bronson Dukes, have been making a name for themselves in the community with their coffee shop, Red Swing Coffee.
Launched in May 2022, the coffee shop was born from a vision to offer not only great coffee but also a welcoming space where people can connect, linger, and feel at home. This vision has now driven their decision to open a second, larger location on West Parrish Avenue, which opened on November 11, 2024.
Brittany, a former library media specialist, and Brandon, a current school counselor, both share a background rooted in community service. The couple’s journey into opening Red Swing Coffee began with their venture into a small bakery called “The Cupcakery,” which allowed them to connect with customers, though mostly only on special occasions.
While they loved baking for special occasions, the Dukes wanted to create a place where customers could visit regularly and experience more, thus, they created Red Swing Coffee.
“We just knew we wanted customers to come back and have more of a full experience,” Brittany explains. “We wanted a place where people could come, feel seen, and make connections.”
The coffee shop offers specialty coffee, breakfast and lunch items, and healthy options, providing something for everyone in a cozy, community-oriented space.
The Dukes initially opened Red Swing Coffee downtown, but they soon realized that the area’s seasonal nature limited traffic.
As such, they were eager to expand into a second, larger location on Owensboro’s west side, an area they believe deserves more community-focused businesses. In mid-2024, Brittany and Brandon purchased a building on West Parrish Avenue to house their second location, a decision driven by both practical needs and a desire to bring something unique to Owensboro’s west side. “We have a special place in our hearts for the west side,” Brandon shares. “So many people focus on the east side, and the west side just seems like it needs more places where people can gather. We knew we had something to offer.”
The new 7,000-square-foot location will be one of the largest coffee shops in Kentucky, according to Brandon, with seating capacity three times that of their original shop. The space will also feature a rentable room for additional seating or events, like parties, showers, and business meetings.
“We wanted to provide more than just a coffee shop,” Brittany says. “We wanted to create a space where people could host gatherings, or even work on creative projects, whether it’s writing a book, painting, or just being inspired by the environment.”
Taking on the new project also meant Brittany stepping away from her long-held career as a library media specialist to focus on the business full-time. “It was very hard to step away,” she says, reflecting on her 18-year career in education. “But it was an absolute leap of faith.”
Brandon continues to work full-time as a counselor, balancing the demands of both roles, which includes early mornings and late nights at the coffee shop. Both he and Brittany emphasize that this project has been a family affair, with their children helping with tasks like demo work and social media content creation. “I think we wore every hat—ordering, staffing, finances—it’s all us. And it’s important that our kids are part of that, seeing the effort and love we put into this,” Brittany said.
For Brittany and Brandon, this second location is about more than expanding business—it’s a continuation of their passion for serving others and building community. “We’re passionate about making connections,” Brandon explains. “It’s that interaction, seeing someone smile when they come in, knowing we’re part of their day. We come from a servant’s heart, and we want to make a difference, whether it’s through a great cup of coffee or just being a place where people feel welcome.”
The Dukes are especially grateful for the warm community reception to Red Swing Coffee and for their dedicated employees who help carry the business’s mission forward. The gradual growth in customer interest, particularly with the new location’s opening, has reinforced their commitment to quality and customer service.
Red Swing Coffee is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday at 112 Allen Street in Owensboro, and 6:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday at 2803 West Parrish Avenue.