Coffee Corner opens its doors once again

The Coffee Corner has had its share of turnarounds from its original name. It has been the Blue Rooster, then the Serenity Cafe and now it has come full circle, back to The Coffee Corner. Even though events surrounding the name changes vary, each are a reflection of Sidney's ever changing community.

New owners Lori Rowan Peetz and Jennifer Holtz are excited to take on this new part of their lives. Both recently impacted by the changes at Cabela's after working with the company for more than 20 years, the opportunity to run the coffee shop came up and they decided to try their hand at something different, said Holtz.

Peetz said that neither of them had ever worked retail before, but from their experience with Cabela's, they learned customer service.

"Thats a huge part of who we are," Peetz said. "We want to provide good customer service to our customers."

Holtz lives in Sidney with her husband Chris, and has three children: Natausha, Bradey and Zachery. Peetz also resides in Sidney with her husband, Matt, and their three children: Amy, Dru and Caitlynn.

As longtime residents of the town, Holtz and Peetz are hoping to provide community support.

"We want to participate in any of the community events like the 'Girls' Day Out,'" Peetz said.

The shop also has a few local vendors, selling items such as goat's milk, soaps and lotions, but are looking for more. As new business owners, the duo are open to different opportunities to work with people in the community, although Holtz said they are starting small.

"There is lady that sells honey products that we will sell on consignment," she said. "We are just looking to get some of the local, smaller businesses around the area exposure."

Specialty drinks, lattes, coffee and pastries are just some of the items locals can enjoy at the Coffee Corner. They also serve lunch, offering a different lunch special every day beginning at 11 a.m.

"Really, I just want it to be a somewhere where people want hang out, or the kids have a place to visit," Peetz said. "We are planning on bringing in more home décor like how (the original owner) Barb had it."

Supporting local talent, the Coffee Corner will host author Cheryl Reich-Bills from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in conjunction with the Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce's 2016 'Girls' Day Out' event this Saturday.

"You will be able to choose a free book from the Coffee Corner with purchase of my book," Reich-Bills said.

Reich-Bills also said that the coffee shop's new owners "have been a great support."

Her book, "SPLIT," was published in 2015 and is dedicated to the survivors of trauma. Reich-Bills said it could also be a tool for those going through, or learning how to live with, trauma.

"I'm glad she wanted to do it because it sounds like a good product, and a good story for mothers and daughters," Peetz said, adding that she would also like to bring more authors in for book signings in the future.

The Coffee Corner is located at 936 10th Ave. Its new hours are Tuesday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.