‘Spiced up’ Belleville coffee house and florist bring exotic flavors back to downtown
Since the Crystal & Spice Shoppe in downtown Belleville closed a year ago, many folks were left wondering where they would find the spices, herbs and mixes they used.
One of these folks was downtown Belleville business owner Zach Bair, who regularly bought goods there for Pour@322 Coffeehouse, which he owns with his dad, Jeff Bair.
Crystal & Spice, with its aromas, colorful goods and the even more colorful personality of owner Gloria Smith, was more than a place to go, buy what you need and get out. The longtime specialty shop was a place to experience.
Bair remembers visiting the spice shop often while growing up and wanted to bring a similar experience back to downtown Belleville.
Earlier this year, he reached out to the Smith family to ask if they minded if he contacted their supply vendors.
The family gave its blessing, said Bair, and he started a new relationship with the same suppliers that provided the coffee, spices and other goods to Crystal & Spice.
Not only did Pour@322 continue to benefit from the development, folks were given access to the same fresh-flavored goods they once bought at the little spice shop next door.
Bringing spicy back
The Bair family of brands, which includes Pour@322 and Grimm & Gorly Florist, officially started offering spices about seven months ago, said Bair. They’re starting slowly to make sure they’re doing it right and kicking off with around 60 spices.
There are now more than 100 spices available with more added every day, he said.
The business also offers a handy starter kit of 20 spices every home chef should have in their kitchen, which is available – and selling well – at the coffeehouse, the flower shop and online.
Being able to bring the spices back to downtown Belleville is a “neat experience” with all of the incredible, exotic scents in the air, said Bair, whose favorite is the Vietnamese cinnamon.
Customer requests are also accepted. Have a list? Call the shop, drop it off or send it online. If a customer is looking for something they don’t have, he will try and get it.
If someone comes by with a list, he said, they can drop it off, go check out downtown’s other offerings – shop, get lunch, have fun – and come back in a couple of hours to pick up their order.
Bair said they have an “unfreakingbelievable” client base and that some have made stopping at Pour@322 a routine. He mentioned a St. Louis family that comes in regularly to have coffee and get supplies.
He enjoys getting to know the customers and hearing about their uses for different spices they buy. The public opens up about family recipes when they ask for certain things needed to make the dishes, he said.
Bair looks forward to the learning experience and waits to hear about the dishes customers make and how they turned out.
This new part of the business is still getting started and is a “pretty wild ride” so far, he said.
About the businesses
Jeff Bair has been the owner of Grimm & Gorly Florist for about 25 years, having bought the established business from previous owner Paul Reis.
Zach and Jeff Bair opened Pour@322 Coffeehouse in November 2014 as an extension of Grimm & Gorly Florist and Cupcakes Too, which was added in 2007.
Cupcakes Too was eventually absorbed by Pour@322, according to Zach Bair.
Cupcakes are still available in addition to many other baked goods. Breakfast and lunch items – including gluten-free and vegan options – are available all day.
Grimm & Gorly Florist is located at 324 E. Main St. in Belleville. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Pour@322 is located at 322 E. Main St. in Belleville. Hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday.
For more info about either business, call 618-234-4455 or visit bellevillecoffee.com or grimmandgorly.com.
