New gourmet tea and spice shop opens in Crystal Lake
Cathy and Tom Koch are natural hosts, as comfortable creating a meal as they are sharing it with friends and family.
Cathy Koch always has been an adventurous cook, re-creating favorite restaurant dishes and opening the couple’s home for celebrations and family dinners. And Tom Koch is so committed to his grill that his snow shoveling routine includes clearing a path to it.
The couple now are the new owners of The Spice & Tea Exchange of Crystal Lake, which recently opened at 57 N. Williams St. in downtown. They will host a grand opening celebration Jan. 31.
“We’re so pleased to be joining the Crystal Lake family of businesses at such an exciting time,” says Cathy Koch. “The downtown area is thriving with an amazing selection of local shops and restaurants, and we can’t wait to be a part of it. Tom and I are looking forward to being active in the Crystal Lake Downtown Association and supporting great community events and festivals.”
The couple was introduced to The Spice & Tea Exchange on a family vacation to Punta Gorda, Florida. They wandered into the Fisherman’s Village location and left with a small fortune’s worth of spices and herbs. While browsing the company website to restock their favorites, Cathy discovered it offered franchise opportunities.
The shop’s new home is in a building from 1912 that the Kochs are restoring. The couple has preserved pieces that tie to the history of Crystal Lake.
The 112-year-old structure features original terra cotta tile from Illinois’ renowned Terracotta Industries and countertops made from a fallen 222-year-old oak tree from the famed Dole Mansion.
Customers will find a wealth of flavor in the Crystal Lake shop. Employees mix a wide range of traditional and signature blends in-store daily, including Tom Koch’s favorite Butcher’s Rub. He also uses the shop’s aromatics to craft cocktails. Cathy Koch loves the Jasmine Pearls Green Tea, which can be enjoyed hot or iced at the in-store tea bar.
Customers can explore shelves of spices, herbs, aromatics, infused sugars, honey, olive oils, maple syrup, and more, experiencing the smells and tastes.
The grand opening is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event will feature free tea and food samples, special promotions, and multiple raffles throughout the day.
Founded in 2008, The Spice & Tea Exchange has grown to become a staple in kitchens across America. The Spice & Tea Exchange of Crystal Lake carries more than 85 handcrafted seasonings, blended in-store daily. It also offer a full-service tea bar, selling hot and cold pours of their small-batch teas. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday.