Located on Rt. 219, along the lakeside, you will find a restaurant and coffee shop that is as well known as Deep Creek itself. Celebrating their 25th anniversary, Traders Coffee House and Brenda’s Pizzeria have been more than just businesses to pass through. Tourists and locals alike, when asked where the best pizza is located, answer with choruses of “Brenda’s”. It has gained a reputation that just understood if you’ve visited. At the center of it all is Brenda McDonnell, whose bold exterior and noticeably soft interior has created something uniquely its own.
Long before boutique coffee shops became common and trendy, Brenda was building one at Deep Creek Lake. The idea came suddenly in the early 2000s when Brenda spotted a “For Lease” sign on an old building near the lake while driving to a meeting. Something about the space quickly spoke to her.
“I saw the sign and thought, ‘I’m going in’”. She pulled over and looked around. This spontaneous stop changed the course of her life.
At the time, the downstairs coffee shop had been closed for months, and the upstairs had operated as a gift and tourist shop. Brenda originally envisioned reopening only the upstairs as a pizzeria, but the owners of the property, Paul and Jane Springer, encouraged her to keep the coffee shop alive as well.
It was not an easy beginning. Over the years, Traders Coffee House grew from a simple coffee cafe into a fully developed coffee and bakery business known for its quality and uniqueness in flavor. Brenda admits she initially knew very little about coffee when the business opened.
“We’re Irish,” she joked. “We didn’t drink coffee.”
Brenda states there was very little money to work with in those early years. What she lacked financially, she made up for with persistence and hard work. She was renting a house with little collateral, and financing such a venture proved difficult. The Springers became supporters, eventually loaning Brenda the money needed to outfit the new building for expansion. Even today, Brenda speaks about them with tremendous gratitude.
The Springer’s belief in Brenda became one of the core pieces of what Traders and Brenda’s would eventually become — a business rooted in relationships, trust, and community support. From the beginning, Brenda wanted Traders Coffee House and Brenda’s Pizzeria to feel welcoming and comfortable rather than formal or rushed. The goal was never simply serving food. It was creating a place where people genuinely enjoyed coming.
“Hospitality is different than service,” Jean Thomas, Trader’s manager, explained during a conversation. “People remember how you make them feel.”
That atmosphere is perhaps one of the reasons the business has remained so loved for a quarter century. The authenticity by the employees bleeds over into customers, sensing that same emotion. You will find most staff members have a tenure with Brenda’s that includes starting there as teenagers and eventually making lifelong careers due to the care and environment. The sense of family is one not felt in many jobs and is part of what makes working here special.
The restaurant’s legendary half-price pizza nights are one example of community connection beyond the employees. What started years ago as a creative way to attract locals during quieter seasons quickly became a Deep Creek tradition. Families crowd the restaurant for pizza nights, and you will often find the take-out areas filled. Mondays at Brenda’s in the off-season have become almost legendary in the area. Locals often can recite the start date of “half price pizza season” with as much certainty as the first day of summer.
Traders Coffee House has spent years refining its coffee program and bakery offerings while maintaining the same welcoming atmosphere customers have come to know. Brenda and her staff traveled to Oregon to work with Oregon Coffee Roasters, learning more about roasting, coffee preparation, and sourcing directly from experienced professionals. The partnership has now lasted for more than two decades.
Freshness, quality, and local sourcing remain priorities throughout the operation. Bread, focaccia, pastries, English muffins, desserts, and baked goods are made fresh in-house. The bakery itself has expanded and evolved over the years to meet increasing demand while maintaining the homemade quality customers expect. Staff members have attended specialized “bread camps” and baking training to continue improving techniques and products.
The business also places strong emphasis on supporting local agriculture and neighboring businesses whenever possible. Produce, eggs, maple syrup, honey, and other ingredients are sourced through Garrett Growers and local farmers whenever available. That commitment reflects Brenda’s larger belief that small businesses succeed best when they support one another.
“It all comes full circle,” Christy Thomas, long-term staff member, explained while discussing the importance of local partnerships. That community-minded approach extends far beyond ingredients. Over the years, Traders and Brenda’s have continued to support local fundraisers, nonprofits, school events, community celebrations, and tourism initiatives throughout Garrett County. The business regularly participates in events like the Festival of Trees, charity fundraisers, restaurant showcases, and local catering efforts. Recent participation in a state food showcase brought much-needed attention to the Western Maryland restaurant offerings available locally.
Meanwhile, the business itself has continued evolving to meet the needs of both locals and visitors. The original building expanded significantly over the years, including renovations designed to accommodate increasing demand. Production areas were reorganized. Bakery operations shifted to create more space. Outdoor areas were redesigned to encourage guests to enjoy Deep Creek’s scenery and atmosphere. Online ordering, carryout systems, and curbside pickup all became part of operations as the hospitality industry rapidly changed during and after COVID.
“You have to pivot,” Brenda said simply while discussing the challenges of recent years.
That willingness to adapt has helped the business survive and thrive through changing tourism trends, economic shifts, staffing shortages, and industry challenges that have forced many restaurants to close. Even after 25 years, Brenda still approaches the business with the same drive and enduring passion that started it all. Through tear-filled eyes, she is overcome with emotion, talking about her love for this business that is truly her heart and soul.
That balance between evolving and still maintaining what people have come to love may be one of the business’s greatest strengths. The atmosphere still feels true to its calling. Inspired by Brenda’s roots in the Bronx, recipes that people adore will always be made fresh. Changes made to keep up with market changes will never replace the solid food that people have come to expect.
The business has quietly grown into a major local employer and economic presence. Today, the various operations connected to Brenda’s businesses employ approximately 50 full-time employees year-round and more than 200 employees during the busy summer season. On peak weekends alone, dozens of staff members work together across the restaurants to keep everything running smoothly for the thousands of guests who pass through their doors.
Yet despite the growth, Brenda remains focused on something much simpler than expansion statistics or business milestones. She wants people to feel cared for, and she wants this business to thrive and succeed beyond just the bottom line.
“Luck has nothing to do with it,” Brenda reflected. “It’s hard work, being driven, and having people believe in you.”
Twenty-five years later, Traders Coffee House and Brenda’s Pizzeria continue proving exactly that. Not simply through coffee or pizza, but through connection, consistency, and a genuine sense of community that has made them feel like home to so many people for so many years.
Don’t miss an opportunity to stop in and enjoy some of the wonderful dishes and coffee treats. Whether by boat or by car, any visit to Deep Creek would not be complete without visiting here and experiencing a local staple.
Hear the story from Brenda herself on The Backbone Podcast; available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.
Written by Tamra Canfield.
From the June issue of the Lakefront Magazine.
