Business Spotlight: Mudhouse Coffee and Tea Co.

In the morning, it's a godsend to those in need of a caffeine fix. In the afternoon, it's a haven for wayward workers; and in the evenings, it's an escape for college students and downtown diners who just want to relax and have a cup of coffee or tea.

No matter what the time of day, the Mudhouse Coffee and Tea Co. seems to have universal appeal.

Owners Brian King and Rob Weislocher opened the Mudhouse, located at 323 South Ave., in 1999. Like many other downtown Springfield business owners, King and Weislocher renovated the space they now occupy.

"Our building is 120 years old," said Weislocher. "It was structurally sound but was in bad need of repair."

The renovated structure combines both old and new. Exposed brick walls and high ceilings reveal the building's age and give the Mudhouse character. Yet patrons can log onto the Web via a laptop computer, thanks to the wireless, high-speed Internet access system that was installed in 2001. Customers who have a wireless card for their laptop can access the system by turning on their computer, which will automatically reconfigure to the appropriate settings and allow them to access the Internet.

"Business people use the system for the most part," said Weislocher. "A few students do as well."

Providing wireless Internet access is just one of the many changes and improvements King and Weislocher have made since opening the Mudhouse. Initially, the two sold coffee and fresh baked goods, which are made in-house. King also learned how to roast coffee and became a master roaster to ensure the Mudhouse's gourmet espresso and coffee drinks were of the highest quality, along with the bags of freshly roasted espresso and coffee that are sold by the pound.

King, who has an art degree, makes all of the pottery that's used to serve food and drinks at the Mudhouse, and a display of his wares are for sale at the front of the store.

"I couldn't even tell you how much pottery I've sold at this point," said King. "I put the stuff out there, and a few days later it's gone."

A few months after opening, King and Weislocher began expanding their drink menu by adding frozen coffee drinks and fruit smoothies. During the next several years, more food and drink items were added along with a lunch menu, which contains a variety of soups as well as create-your-own salads and sandwiches. Busy customers also can call ahead and order a boxed lunch to go.

In 2001, the two purchased the inventory from the House of Tea in Springfield, which was going out of business. The acquisition allowed King and Weislocher to round out their drink menu, and they began serving and selling loose-leaf tea.

Today, customers can find a wide variety of specialty drinks on the Mudhouse's drink menu, including espresso drinks, gourmet coffees, loose-leaf teas, chai teas, fruit smoothies, fruit and tea freezes and frozen coffee drinks.

The food and drink menu at the Mudhouse isn't the only thing that has expanded, however. Initially, the coffeehouse was open from 8:30 a.m.-10 a.m. Monday through Friday. The business' hours have expanded, however, and now the Mudhouse is open from 7 .am.-midnight Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-midnight on Saturday and 8:30 a.m.-11 p.m. on Sunday.

King and Weislocher said many of the new ideas they've implemented over the years have been gleaned from going to conferences, educational classes and seminars that were held by the Specialty Coffee Association of America, a national trade association they belong to that's based in Long Beach, Calif.

Running a business that's open seven days a week can be challenging, according to King and Weislocher. Although the two spend a great deal of time overseeing day-to-day operations, they do rely on their 23 employees to keep things running smoothly.

Finding and retaining good employees in a tight labor market isn't always easy, however. In 2001, King and Weislocher decided to add health care coverage to the list of benefits they provide employees.

"Adding health care coverage made us more competitive with other businesses and has helped us keep employees," said Weislocher.

Recently, the two renovated 1,200 square feet of retail space at 321 E. Walnut St., which now houses their newest business venture the Mud Lounge. Like its namesake the Mudhouse, the Mud Lounge provides customers with a relaxing nonsmoking environment. The lounge, which is open Tuesday through Saturday 5 p.m. -1:30 a.m., serves a wide variety of mixed drinks, including many coffee-based mixed drinks, as well as finger foods.

Being able to retain good employees has made opening a new business just a little bit easier, said Weislocher. Rather than hire a brand-new staff, seven employees from the Mudhouse have transferred to the Mud Lounge, where they now oversee operations.

Currently, King and Weislocher are focusing on increasing the Mudhouse's wholesale coffee and tea sales. Several area businesses already purchase coffee and tea supplies from the Mudhouse, and Weislocher believes they will be able to add more area businesses in the coming months.

"We want to do more wholesale, but we're not trying to be a big corporation," said Weislocher. "We haven't lost sight of our focus. We just want to be pleasing to the customer."