Small Business Highlight - Hazel’s Coffee
Our January Small Business Highlight is Hazel’s Coffee of St. Joseph, MO.
The story of Hazel's Coffee is one of resilience and dedication.
Heather and Randy Mitchell are the owners of Hazel’s Coffee. They started as loyal customers like many of us in St. Joseph. When the opportunity arose to purchase Hazel’s Coffee, they jumped on it. Heather and Randy purchased Hazel’s Coffee on March 9, 2020, just before the pandemic. Despite facing many challenges due to the pandemic, Heather was determined to keep the business going. In July 2020, they moved it to a new location at 3829 Frederick Avenue, which allowed them to continue serving their loyal customers and expand their reach to new ones with more dining space and a drive-thru.
In May 2021, they opened a second location downtown at 310 N 3rd Street, which not only serves coffee and pastries but cocktails as well. There are also hosted events you can check out at Hazel’s Coffee downtown include stand-up comedians, dueling pianos, and more. Did you know? The downtown space can be rented, after hours, for your small events and parties.
During a recent Red Rally, Hazel’s Coffee was asked to join to serve food and drinks. Heather thought, 'yes, we can can set up a table and some drink dispensers'. But Heather had wanted to own a coffee trailer for awhile and this was the opportunity to achieve that goal. So the Hazels Coffee trailer, Hazel's Coffeebago began. Since then the Coffee Trailer has been to many events and used by local small businesses.
Hazel's Coffee is passionate about supporting their community by giving back. They often donate their coffee, lemonade, and cinnamon rolls to school functions, such as Grandparents Day, Teacher Appreciation Day, and PTA carnivals. They also partner with local organizations like PRC and MWSU.
Hazel's Coffee supports our community and small businesses alike. Heather told of one memorable example of the small business community spirit in St. Joseph, when Hazel’s Coffee faced a crisis during Thanksgiving week in 2020. Their roaster broke on Tuesday, but the only other roaster in town, Mokaska, came to their rescue. Mokaska put aside their roasting schedule to prioritize Hazels' beans and ensure they could continue serving their customers.
Some of the most popular items on Hazel’s menu include their delicious cinnamon rolls, breakfast burritos, and cold brew. But it's not just the food and drinks that keep people coming back - it's the warm and welcoming atmosphere, the sense of community, and the feeling of being part of something special.
As a business owner, the most rewarding experience for Heather has been the relationships she has built with their customers. Many regulars have become like family, and their stories are intertwined with the history of the business. Hazel’s Coffee has played a role in many important moments in people's lives, such as bringing couples together who later got married. Heather says, “You come in as a customer and leave as family”.
In conclusion, Hazel's Coffee is a shining example of how a small business can thrive with dedication, hard work, and a commitment to serving the community.
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