Drinking coffee is a lifestyle for Fred and Judy Kraus.
Fred said when he and his wife drink a good cup of coffee, it is their time to talk. And since Fred roasts his own beans at home, grinds his coffee fresh and uses a French press, the process gives them time to relax.
“It takes time so you have time to talk, have intimacy,” Fred said.
Drinking coffee extends outside of the Kraus’ East Peoria home.
When they go to visit Fred’s mother, Virginia in Peoria, there is always a pot of coffee brewing.
“You can’t go to her house without a pot of coffee,” Judy said. “After church, we go to Fred’s mom’s for a cup of coffee. It’s always, ‘Come down for a cup of coffee.’ ”
Fred and his brother, Don, grew up drinking coffee.
“Some people break bread and have a meal. I’ve always drank coffee,” Fred said, adding, “I think I drank it in the hospital before I came home.”
Now, the Krauses want to share their passion for roasting, brewing and sharing coffee with the public.
The couple is opening Eysals (pronounced eye zuls) Coffee Roasters at 400 E. Washington St. in East Peoria in mid-May.
Fred said he was influenced to open his own business after visiting his younger brother, Don’s, and sister-in-law, Joanna’s, coffee shop in North Carolina.
“We went down for a visit and really enjoyed the shop and business and thought, We can do this,’ ” Judy said.
In fact, the Krauses got the name for their business from Don and Joanna’s shop. There, they saw a sign that said, “Espresso Yourself and Smile A Latte.” The Krauses took this saying and used the initial letters to get Eysals.
Eysals will eventually seat about 30 people. The Krauses will offer all sorts of drinks — fresh roasted coffee, cappuccinos, lattés, espresso, tea, smoothies and more.
Roasting
In the roasting process, Fred said he will not flavor his beans, which he orders from a place in California called Sweet Maria’s. Judy said they pull the natural flavor out of the coffee bean during the roasting process.
“It’s our hope and desire to establish our name that we are a coffee roaster — that what you see is fresh,” Fred said.
Fred plans to have his roaster situated out in the open where customers can sit and watch their coffee being made.
The process will take a little longer than other coffee chains, where the coffee process is automated, Fred said.
Eysals will also offer lunch items. Stephanie VanOppen, a friend of Fred’s, will make her own recipe paninis.
Soups, salads, breakfast items and pastries will also be part of the edible fare.
Wi-Fi will be a part of the atmosphere as well, as Fred said this is a must for his type of business these days.
For more information, call 699-2977.
Read this complete story in the April 9 East Peoria Times-Courier.
