Photo by Adam Vogler
Bev Beers and Rocky Slaymaker of the Granada Coffee Co., 809 Commercial St. Besides coffee, the shop offers pottery, jewelry, clothing and other merchandise made in Kansas.
Something is brewing at The Granada Coffee Company — and it may not be what you’d expect.
The downtown business that opened in 2002 quickly became a place for local coffee lovers to satisfy their appetite for their favorite caffeinated beverage. Now The Granada has also become a venue for local artists to satisfy their need to create.
It started in 2003 with one box of handmade note cards placed beside the cash register. They sold immediately and there was a demand for more.
That was all Bev Beers, manager of The Granada, needed to confirm the plan that was already percolating in her mind: to sell a wide variety of Kansas-made goods in the coffee shop.
Before long, the connections she was making with her customers went beyond selling them cappuccinos and lattes.
“You think of his as just serving coffee, but it’s more ... there’s a personal connection that takes place,” she said.
And in just the way that each roast has it’s own flavor, spice and personality, Beers discovered her customers did too, only many of them didn’t know how to market it.
“There was all this creative energy in town, but it had no outlet,” she said.
Today, The Granada retails pottery, jewelry, macramé candles, engraved glassware, greeting cards, crocheted goods, photography, picture frames, laser-cut ornaments, bookmarks and tie dye clothing — all of which are made in Kansas and most of which are made by men and women (even a 12-year old girl) within the Emporia area.
The retail side of the business has proved to be a financial asset to the small business, but what have been personally gratifying to Beers are the relationships she has developed with the crafts persons as they grow their creative talent.
“It’s exciting to see someone who has been in the community for years ... and all of a sudden they’ve evolved,” she added. They become known in town for their creative talent.
One of those people is Rick Robidou. The owner of Flinthills Laser Expressions, Robidou has found that The Granada has given him the exposure to the public that he wouldn’t otherwise have. He specializes in laser engravings and wood cuts. Some of his products include ornaments, wood necklaces and mirrors, all of which are for sale at the coffee shop.
Robidou is quick to acknowledge, however, that his partnership with the Granada is much more than a business relationship.
“They’re like mentors.” he said. “Rocky and Bev have been a support family. We talk about issues related to small business and they give me ideas and hints.”
There are a few things Beers considers when inviting a new craftsperson to sell in the store: The products have to be made in Kansas (preferably from the Emporia area), be well-made and guaranteed, unique, and they must fit the ambiance of the store. “They have to fit our customer base,” she said.
As the holiday season gears up and the retail side grows in inventory, Beers looks forward to seeing customers continue to come into The Granada for a cup of coffee, and for a taste of what some talented local folks have to offer.
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