Clean Coffee & Smoothies offers more natural ingredients
Brian Smith is offering a healthier alternative at his new shop, Clean Coffee & Smoothies in Glen Ellyn.
The shop at 546 Crescent Blvd. offers organic, fair trade coffees from around the world and more than 20 organic and natural teas.
All natural smoothies along with organic fruits and gluten-free snacks are also offered at the shop, which opened earlier this year.
"I'm serving a niche market that's expanding," said Smith, a resident of Hanover Park.
He is finding that customers really enjoy his coffee, which they say is not bitter.
His organic coffee, which sells for $1.70 for a small cup and $2 for a large, is grown all over the world including Peru, Mexico, Ethiopia and Indonesia. A popular pick is the Guatemalan coffee that's grown on the slopes of a volcano.
Since opening his business, he has found a greater interest in teas than he anticipated. He has added to his selection to accommodate the demand.
The decision to open the business stems from his wife, Deborah, who began researching organic and gluten-free goods several years ago. Deborah noticed improvements in her family's health when she switched to menus made with organic foods.
She now works part time at a health food grocery store as well as an accountant for a Streamwood company. The couple is raising two sons, Patrick, 7, and Logan, 5.
"This healthier approach has become part of my family's life and I want to pass that on," said Smith, 47.
Prior to launching the business he was a product manager for a manufacturing company. He also worked more than a decade in the food and beverage and hospitality industry where serving fresh coffee was part of his role.
"It was time to take it to the next level," Smith said.
The shop is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.
For more information, call (630) 858-5282.
Healthy event: To celebrate National Nutrition Month, the makers of Hormel, Natural Choice and StrollerFit will host a free even March 15.
The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Sheraton Chicago Northwest, 3400 W. Euclid Ave. in Arlington Heights. It will feature a StrollerFit family class, after which participants will enjoy a light lunch of Hormel Natural Choice meats.
Parents will receive practical tips and advice for raising healthy, fit families and preparing quick, protein-rich meals for children.
To find out more about the event, check out www.strollerfit.com/nwchicago.