The owner of the company doing the technical part of this blog created this space for me to share My Favorite Coffee Shop. He never mentioned it to me. I just noticed it one day a few weeks ago. It has intrigued me since that day. And I have decided to accept his suggestion. 

First, I need to be perfectly honest with you – I do not like coffee and I do not drink coffee and unless someone else’s coffee is totally full of a chocolate-flavored creamer, I do not even like the smell of coffee. I estimate this lack of burning love for coffee has saved me more than $50,000 over the last 50 years. This would not include cost of donuts and sweet rolls because I ate those even without drinking coffee! 

Coffee breaks were never my thing and the morning and afternoon coffee gatherings are not something I do. I see people I like enjoying these meetings, but it is not for me. That is a true blessing for those who do get together! As an only child, I learned to play by myself and have almost always enjoyed my own company. But I digress.

I ACTUALLY DO HAVE A FAVORITE COFFEE SHOP!!! I just don’t go there and I never drink their coffee. But I am willing to sing the praises of the EUPHORIA COFFEE SHOP in West Union, Iowa!! And if you have not tried EUPHORIA, I urge you to do so at your very earliest convenience.

First, Nick, Jace, and their team grind and brew amazingly wonderful coffee! I know this because Janice and every coffee drinker I know who has tasted Euphoria coffee tells me so! They know how to hit all the right notes in their symphony of the coffee bean – true coffee afficionados sing the praises of Euphoria coffee!! And if you wonder what they do to make it so – I recommend you try their coffee at your very first opportunity. You will not be disappointed. Yes, it is Euphoric and you will find it so.

However, the real reason I want to bring attention to Nick and Jace and their business is what I have watched them do as they struggled with the effects of Covid on their small-town enterprise. When Nick and Jace were forced to close their doors to indoor service, rather than sitting by and watching their passion end, they consistently and creatively made Euphoria products available to their existing customers as well as promoting their brand to new customers searching for something to enjoy during such a difficult time. And it worked! 

For instance, you could have menu items delivered to your home or business. Our office staff really enjoyed not only the delicious coffee and baked goods but also found their sandwiches and other items to be not only great-tasting but a fresh alternative to our normal food choices. Delivery of Euphoria products was the highlight of many days. 

The owner of our business also worked with Nick and Jace on joint projects to enhance the customer experience of both companies. It was great to see “Allen Knox Associates” displayed on the beverage holders used for Euphoria deliveries. And an AKA client’s employees thoroughly enjoyed Euphoria products being served to them at one of their benefit review meetings. This was a great way for AKA to show appreciation to business management and their employees while promoting the Euphoria Coffee Shop.

There are numerous other examples of Nick, Jace and their team facing this challenge with creativity and a positive attitude. The take-out casseroles to bake at home was another huge hit with us and our family!

So often attention is given to a business that has simply surrendered to the COVID challenge. Many stories related just how hard this made the continued success of a business. And that is true for many. It was exciting to see a business-owner take on the challenge with positive energy and ideas. 

If you have not experienced the Euphoria Coffee Shop in West Union, Iowa, I definitely encourage you to do so. Please share your experience with the Allen Knox General Store blog and I will enter your name in a random drawing for one of ten $10.00 gift certificates to the Euphoria Coffee Shop. These certificates are at my expense. I receive no compensation for my blog business recommendations. My purpose is to enhance the business of an owner who has demonstrated their desire to be successful by putting their customers first. It is the most basic of successful business practices and yet it is the most elusive. 

Nick, Jace and their team UNDERSTAND AND GET IT DONE! Bless these folks for inspiring us . . .