TLC Coffeehouse Serves Antioch Community
You don't have to be a java drinker to enjoy the new coffeehouse in town. Jim Reiser of Trevor Creek, Wisconsin opened The Latte Cafe (TLC) on February 20, 2015 in the historic Jensen House near downtown Antioch. Located at the southeast corner of Routes 173 and 83, the independent coffeehouse serves beverages, pastries and soup seven days a week.
Reiser took advantage of the opportunity to open his first business when the Jensen House recently became available for rent. The building was originally home to Antioch civic leader and veterinarian Dr. George Jensen. It is currently rented out by Mike Sexton, who also owns and operates NAPA Antioch Auto Parts next door. Reiser spent more than $40,000 in three months to renovate the space into a coffeehouse.
Reiser has been pleasantly pleased with business in the first two weeks since opening.
"The encouraging part is that we have a lot of returning customers," he said.
Reiser has lived and worked in northern Lake County, Illinois for more than 30 years. Before becoming a coffeehouse entrepreneur, he was an account representative at Sysco Foodservice and he has worked in restaurants since college. The Latte Cafe is now his full time job and he's committed to making it a success.
"I think the coffeehouse business is as much as a sales job as anything else," he said, backing up his restaurant experience with a degree in business.
The Latte Cafe uses a regionally sourced "mom and pop" roaster out of Iowa.
"We order the beans on Monday, they're roasted on Tuesday and we get them on Thursday," Reiser said about their brew.
Six baristas with a combined experience of nearly 20 years prepare the handcrafted beverages. Each drink is made with individually ground and tapped espresso beans. Unlike the big-box coffeehouses, there's no pushing buttons at The Latte Cafe.
The restaurant is a member of the Antioch Chamber of Commerce and aspires to become a community staple. Reiser says he plans to host a grand opening in May when the weather is nice enough to use the outdoor patio.
For more updates, check out The Latte Cafe's Facebook page.