I hate Starbucks. I pretty much hate all chain stores and always encourage people to shop local and discover the unique places around town. I don’t drink coffee myself, but a few weeks ago at when we shop-hopped The Main Statement, owners, Danielle and Matt told me that starting in March, they were going to have an Artist of the Month and the work would be featured at the Broken Tree Coffee shop right down the street from them on Main Street. Well, it’s March and I’m curious to see who the artist of the month is and if you can get something other than coffee at Broken Tree Coffee, come along and we’ll find out!
Okay, here's a shot of the shop from the car at the intersection of Sheridan and Main.
I love the hand-painted store front, you won't see that at a Starbucks.
Speaking of hand-painted, check out the mural on the side wall of the store, very cool!
They're open, so let's go in. If you look real hard at this photo you'll notice an obligatory store front mirror shot.
On the way in I noticed a flyer for the Main Statement's Artist of the Month. We'll find out who that is real soon!
Wow, it's very nice in here, love the wooden floor. Let's go see if we can get something other than coffee in this coffee shop.
Here's Jeremiah Schmillen who owns the shop with his brother, Jack, whipping me up a cup of hot chocolate.
Very delicious and frothy, perfect on this chilly, winter afternoon!
There's tables up at the front of the shop where you can sip your coffee while enjoying the view of Main Street outside.
Right now the menu is all liquid, mainly coffee, but with hot chocolate and tea for non-coffee drinkers like myself, but Jeremiah said that food will be available here, probably in about six weeks. I'll have to check back when that starts.
Here's the coffee area in the back. I'm getting a little verklempt just looking at it...talk amongst yourselves...
Suddenly...coffee cups!
I love this old-time book rack at the end of the front coffee bar.
I used to have a copy of this collection of essays of former local PJ Star columnist, Rick Baker. The books are supplied by the used book store, The Booksmith. Jeremiah told me they're located at the intersection of Rohmann and Sterling, so I'll have to go visit them soon. I love used bookstores.
Golden orbs dangle from the ceiling.
You can sit at the tables in front, or here at the wooden bar...
Or at the black leather booths lining the brick wall. And it looks like the artwork from The Main Statement is hanging over these booths, let's take a look.
Callie Farmer is the artist of the month and her paintings are hanging over the booths.
The paintings are very cool, you can check out Callie's website here.
And here's two more of her paintings on the wall. To read about the thought process behind the paintings, you can read her artist's statement here.
Here's another impressive piece of art hanging on the opposite wall painted by Jeremiah.
Okay, it's time for my patent-pending, "final glance out the window" shot looking out on Main Street. See you all tomorrow.
Broken Tree Coffee
700 W. Main St.
Peoria
309-648-1439
Further reading: Peoria Journal Star, foursquare and facecrack.
