Eysal's brings its beans to Peoria

A frequent customer walked into Eysal’s Coffee Roaster last week and was greeted with a smile and was told, “I have your coffee waiting for you in the back.”

That type of personable service will soon be expanded over the Illinois River, as another Eysal’s opens in June at Midstate College in Peoria.

“We’re very pleased, and we feel we’re delivering a very good product,” said owner Fred Kraus. “It’s the people of East Peoria who we have to thank for that, for allowing us to stay in business and continuing to grow.”

The coffee shop will be open to students, faculty and the general public in the R. Dale Bunch Student Center, a brand new facility in the college, which also includes a new library and book store.

Kraus said the fact that the local college was independent made them a good fit for a location for their business.

“It was a nice match as far as who they are and what they represent and for who we are and who we want to become,” Kraus said. “Everything seemed to fall right into place.”

The business venture came to life because a person from Midstate is a frequent customer of Eysal’s.

“The customers, they’re the reason we are here. We hope to become a vital part of Midstate,” Kraus said. “Every indication says we will be very well-received there. We have customers who will travel from Peoria to visit our location.”

Eysals celebrates their second year in business this month, said Kraus, adding they have come a long way in two years.

“We started a coffee shop in the middle of a summer during what was thought to be a middle of a recession,” he said. “You always picture growth. We feel very, very blessed to have the support of the city of East Peoria.”

Kraus said the shop will not change in East Peoria, he said. In fact, all the roasting will continue to be done in East Peoria.

“East Peoria is home,” he said. “Just because we grow, doesn’t mean we forget where we came from.”

While the East Peoria shop is open 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and  from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, the shop in Peoria will cater to a different crowd.

“We’re looking for more of an evening crowd,” Kraus said, adding many students take night classes. However the exact hours are not set in stone.

For the most part, the same drink menu will be served in Peoria, he said. Also, four employees have been hired for the shop.

Kraus and his wife, Judy, are also receiving help from Fred Kraus’ brother, Don Kraus. As owner of a coffee shop in North Carolina, he is assisting them during the transition.

“We’re very grateful to have that,” he said.

Whether the business will continue to expand, Kraus said he will take it one step at a time.

“It’s exciting. You have to be conservative with how far you want to get out there and how fast,” he said. “You have to keep God happy, family happy, your clientele happy, and the rests takes care of itself.”