Owner turns idea to reality with new Maeystown coffee shop

Matt Schweizer, co-owner and brewer of Hopskeller Brewing Company in Waterloo, hadn’t originally planned to open a coffee shop, but admits the idea had been percolating in the back of his mind.

Earlier this year, an opportunity to turn the idea into a reality presented itself.

The reality emerged as Around the Corner Coffee Company, a family-owned coffee shop in Maeystown, which opened July 28.

Arnie Juelfs owned and operated the Village Kaffeehaus in the same space for 13 years. For the past five or six years, he’d been considering retirement. The coffee industry wasn’t what it used to be and when the coronavirus pandemic caused businesses to temporarily close in the spring, Juelfs’ decision became easier.

Schweizer had visited Village Kaffeehaus a few times to purchase coffee or his beer brewing business. One one occasion, Schweizer told Juelfs that if he ever planned to sell the business to let him know.

Juelfs didn’t think too much about it at the time.

The original plans were to sell off the equipment and the inventory.

“I didn’t think I’d find anybody to buy the business,” said Juelfs.

But as Juelfs prepared to retire, Schweizer made a pitch to his friend, Andrew Juelfs, who also is Arnie’s son. A deal was made and now Schweizer is in the coffee business.

Ready, set, brew

Schweizer said he has had an appreciation for coffee since living in Oregon in the late 2000s, when he noticed various styles of shops from big, elaborate chains to the smaller and simpler mom-and-pop places.

Mom-and-pop businesses appealed to Schweizer because they are more personal and more intimate. The business was more about making good products and providing great service than it was about a bottom line, he said.

With that and the pressures posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in mind, Schweizer came up with a business model.

The former Village Kaffeehaus already had limited indoor seating, which Schweizer sees as an advantage in a world of social distancing. There is plenty of seating outside with picnic tables set up along the creek behind the shop.

The shop is geared toward commuters, cyclists, locals and young families who come to enjoy the grounds around the creek, Schweizer said, so there is an emphasis on quick service and grab-and-go items.

Juelfs passed onto Schweizer some of what he learned during his years in the business.

Juelfs advised roasting in small batches to maintain freshness. Schweizer roasts beans every two to three days, several pounds at a time as needed. He learned to roast coffee at the shop, with the same equipment he bought from Juelfs.

But the process is more than just roasting coffee beans.

“Being able to create things is really nice,” says Schweizer. Every bean, every roaster “has its own personality ... its own history, its own story.”

What’s on the menu

Around the Corner Coffee Company offers a variety of beverages, including regular coffees and teas, specialty drinks and fruit smoothies, and grab-and-go food items like granola bars, pre-packaged pastries and chips.

A highlight of Around the Corner Coffee Company’s menu is the homemade Belgian-style waffles. Waffles are made-to-order and can be eaten plain for those on the go, or loaded up with butter, syrup, powdered sugar and topped with ice cream from the Corner George Inn Bed & Breakfast Sweet Shoppe.

Another item featuring ice cream from the Corner George Inn Sweet Shoppe is the affogato. It’s two scoops of vanilla ice cream, a shot of espresso, Around the Corner Coffee Company’s homemade cascara syrup, whipped cream and a light dash of cocoa.

Also on the menu is the London Fog, a new concoction that Schweizer is particularly proud of. It’s a blend of Earl Gray tea and lavender with foamed milk and vanilla syrup topped with whipped cream and lavender sugar.

Other offerings include whole-bean coffee, which customers can try before they buy, and coffee by the quart (both in limited amounts). Local honey from the Blessed Bee Company, located in Waterloo, also is available for purchase.

Most items are priced in the $2 to $5 range.

Around the Corner Coffee Company is located at 1103 Mill St. in Maeystown. The hours are 7-11 a.m. Tuesday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. It is closed on Monday. For more information about Around the Corner Coffee Company, call 618-458-8088 or visit facebook.com/ATCMaeystown.

This story was originally published August 30, 2020 at 5:00 AM.