Sweet Espressions Reinvention
For the last 15 years, 107 W. Washington St. has meant one thing for residents of Kirksville, Mo. — coffee. Many recognizable businesses, such as Java Co. and Costa Rican Café, have called this storefront home. Sarah Mitchell, co-owner of Sweet Espressions, explains her business will be the newest name on those windows.“I got my start at Java Co.,” she says. “It’s fun, it’s almost like coming home. It’s coming around full circle. Even one of the paintings on the wall is mine.”
Mitchell co-owns Sweet Espressions with her mother, Sherry Stacey. For these ladies, running the shop together requires more than a working business partnership. They remain a supportive family.
“Sarah is an extremely creative young lady, and when an opportunity came around for her to have an outlet for that creativity, we took it,” says Stacey. “We will celebrate three years in June!”
Through a selection of fresh, made-from-scratch baked goods, breakfast and lunch options, signature espresso drinks and more, Mitchell shares her creativity with customers every day. Mitchell and Stacey have a close relationship with coffee roasters, allowing them to build a menu distinct to their café.
Sweet Espressions, like many small businesses, has regular customers, including Truman State University graduate student Becka McHenry, who says she loves the café for the environment.
“If you want to sit upstairs and be more chatty, they offer that, and downstairs is more of a study space,” McHenry explains. “It’s a place you can go for anything.”
McHenry recalls studying with friends until closing time one night. The group left the shop, planning to return early the next morning to continue working.
“[We] were curious if they served muffins,” McHenry explains. “We came back in the morning and sure enough, there were blueberry muffins waiting for us. That’s what sold me on Sweet Espressions.”
For this local business, customer needs come first, and employees are there to serve everyone with quality food, hand-crafted beverages and an appealing atmosphere. An apprehension Sweet Espressions shares with many local businesses comes from the threat posed by larger, corporate companies. However, Mitchell and Stacey say they’re hopeful this move will not only keep their business of three years alive, but will help it thrive.
“I am not a doom and gloom person, I’m just stating the facts,” Mitchell says of the constant possibility of customer loss.
To Mitchell and Stacey, Sweet Espression’s location, publicity and favorable impression with its customers holds vast importance. Many people have seen locally owned stores drown in economic battles all over the country. In Kirksville, McHenry recalls feeling shocked by the true necessity of hometown support for the success of a local business.
“I never really thought about it,” McHenry admits. “For me it makes sense to go to a locally-owned business like Sweet Espressions. Family, small businesses are something great about Kirksville.”
Mitchell hopes this move will enable the reinvention she and her mother have sought for their shop. Mitchell foresees a drastic reduction in operations costs with the relocation, which should help the business grow and expand. She says she hopes to add a quiet study lounge, a colorful and trendy front room and surprise new menu items. They expect the move to take place during spring 2014 after some remodeling and redesigning in the building. Mitchell says she is excited for this opportunity to fine tune some menu favorites and bring a rejuvenated look and new ideas to her café. In a locale that has known only coffee for more than a decade, Mitchell says she sees Sweet Espressions doing well and reaching out to any and all who enjoy a nice cup of joe.
