Just around the corner on South Jefferson Avenue, is a brightly colored umbrella and table and chairs. The ensemble welcomes patrons to Iola’s newest business venture, Just Around the Corner coffee shop. AROUND THE Corner made its debut Aug. 23 with a good opening.
Inside the shop at 110 S. Jefferson, music plays softly in the background and cups gently clink as Shay Hlavaty works behind the counter.
“I love the feel of a coffee shop and how it brings the community together,” Hlavaty said.
Hlavaty manages the shop, moving to Iola five months ago from Lubbock, Texas where she recently graduated from Texas Tech University with a degree in environmental conservation. She also has extensive experience working in coffee shops, including Starbucks.
Hlavaty’s desire to get more involved with the Iola community coupled with her experience in food service was a perfect match for David and Beth Toland who had long been interested in opening a coffee shop, but didn’t have the time to manage it.
Hlavaty’s three years as a barista and a love of cooking easily convinced the Tolands the time was right for such a venture.
Work on renovating the former location of Audacious Boutique women’s store began in early April.
“We repainted everything and put in new floors behind the counter and built the counters,” Hlavaty said.
A major attention-grabber is the large, metal “Iola” sign hanging on the wall behind the counter. The sign is from the old Iola Mill.
“We reused a lot of items,” Hlavaty said. “It has a more personal touch since we didn’t buy everything.”
“It was the perfect amount of people,” Hlavaty said of the initial crowds. “There were a lot people who couldn’t wait to get their first cup of coffee.”
The shop had advertised only on its Facebook page. Before it even officially opened its doors, the shop had accumulated 200 “likes.”
“We plan to do more advertising in the newspaper and on the radio,” she said.
Hlavaty said the store is “more than just a coffee shop.” They also have non-coffee options such as teas, hot chocolate, soda and babyicinos. A babyicino includes milk, the customer’s choice of flavoring and marshmallows.
“It’s one of our most popular drinks,” she said.
The store also offers breakfast and lunch items .
“We wanted to give healthy food options. That’s why we sell a salad and a wrap every day,” Hlavaty said. “We have a variety of specialty salads and then we have the Everyday wrap” of meat and vegetables.
Hlavaty and her co-worker Jessica Quinhones arrive at the shop 30 minutes before the doors open at 6:30 a.m. to prepare fresh pastries. Quinhones has years of restaurant experience and also works at The Greenery.
Hlavaty said all of the food is made in-house. Every day they try to have a loaf, scone and muffin option on hand.
“We don’t want to be Starbucks,” she said. “Everything is as local as we can get it.”
Around the Corner gets its coffee from the Roasterie in Kansas City.
For now the shop is open from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. They might extend their hours depending on community feedback.
“We will be open late for the Keaton Celebration,” later this month, Hlavaty noted of the event that draws a lot of out-of-towners.
So far the shop is pleased with the local response.
“Iola had lacked a place where you can just sit and talk. Here you can have a drink and a pastry and hangout,” she said.
To stay updated on new menu items visit their Facebook page, Around the Corner Iola.
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