Geschenk Boutique and Coffee and Tea Haus is a gift in St. Joseph.
Quite literally.
Geschenk, a German word, means gift.
“With A German heritage it seemed like a great fit while also focusing on our purpose,” owner Kathy Lyons said. “We want to be a place where you can find a great gift for every occasion and every person in your life. We want to be a place that brings people together and fosters true gifts in life of love and friendship.”
That vision unique products and gifts from all over the country in the East Central Illinois village seven years ago quickly grew as customers really took to the coffee and tea products the popular boutique provided.
“We want to bring you something that you don’t find at the big box stores, and provide a fun experience at the same time,” Kathy said.
Seven years ago, Kyle and Kathy Lyons set out to provide a variety of unique products and gifts from all over the country in the East Central Illinois village.
“As a full service coffee bar we offer lattes, cold brew, and other specialty drinks love,” Kathy said. “The nice thing is you can get them right here in your backyard and don’t have to head to bigger towns to enjoy them. We take that approach with many of the things we develop in the coffee shop. We want to offer you great pastries and treats to enjoy while enjoying a great cup of coffee.”
Geschenk’s Boutique offers kitchenware, specialty foods including dips, soups, olive oils, packaged coffee and tea sourced from small businesses in the US.
“Additionally, we carry place settings, drinkware, enamelware, bakeware, aprons, and more to outfit a kitchen or to offer as a housewarming gift or wedding gift,” she added.
Geschenk’s menu varies, providing seasonal drinks and desserts alongside trending offerings such as the salty dog latte, coffee float and the “Director’s Cut” latte.
Producer Robin Christian used Geschenk’s cafe in Jan. 2020 during the filming of “A Fargo Christmas Story,” which is expected to be released in 2021.
“Very few people may know that we had the honor of meeting Ed Asner, Maxwell Caulfield, and Richard Riehle (among others) during the filming,” Kathy said. “Additionally, one of our employees was on the crew of the film and we also catered for the staff, crew, and actors of the film. It was a wild ride and so glad we were a part of it.”
Shortly after the film crew left St. Joseph, the small business owners felt shuttered by a mid-March shutdown that has defined commerce throughout 2020. The adjustments restaurants have had to make, being shutdown to limited capacity to outdoor dining and now carryout and delivery again, has led the Lyons’ to offering mobile ordering through the Joe app.
The new offering still allows the Geschenk staff to provide a great product while keeping customers and staff safe.
“This is a great way to offer a quick and convenient way to serve our customers, especially since we don’t have a drive thru. You can order ahead and pick up on your way to work or after dropping kids off at school,” Kathy said. “There are also deals in the app and keeps track of loyalty points for free drinks. We love the app and hope everyone will take advantage of it in the coming months.”
While the owners work to provide a warm and inviting atmosphere for their customers, Kathy said that St. Joseph and surrounding communities have given her so much more through the business.
“I love being part of this community and getting to know so many people that I wouldn’t have known otherwise,” she said. “I love having people who know our employees and ask how they are doing when they aren’t there.
“We love being in a beautiful old building that is a great conversation piece when new people visit. I enjoy the reaction when people learn that the building is over 100 years old and is home to the Masonic Lodge (upstairs).
“This is a great community and we are blessed to be part of it.”
