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The Downtown Coffee Shop has been a mainstay of Olde Towne Bellevue.
Light House owner Tracey Colgrove makes an omelet Friday.
Light House owner Tracey Colgrove pours an egg Friday.
The Light House Olde Towne Bellevue opened to the public Thursday.
After 38 years of “wonderful” but “hard work,” Bellevue’s Downtown Coffee Shop shut its doors Oct. 1, owner Christine Kouba said.
It certainly wasn’t due to a lack of customers, Kouba said. Business was booming, she said. Bellevue was excellent to them, even amid COVID-19.
“Bellevue has been so warm and so receptive,” Kouba said.
Kouba and her staff knew all of their names and orders, as well as details about their lives. They made it a point to care about their customers, she said, and people noticed. It’s those amazing customers who Kouba will miss the most.
“What a joy it was to serve them and to cook for them and have them be friends in my life,” Kouba said.
She’ll also miss working with the outstanding employees. Kouba said she truly loved spending every day at the coffee shop.
“I got up before my alarm everyday,” Kouba said. “I was happy to be going to work everyday for sure.”
Experiencing some health issues, Kouba said it was time to close. Then the right people came who could replace the Olde Towne staple.
The Light House Olde Towne Bellevue is taking over the Downtown Coffee Shop spot after Kouba sold the business to them.
She said she feels they’re going to do great things.
The Light House Olde Towne Bellevue opened to the public Thursday.
This coffee shop is an expansion of the Light House Glenwood in Iowa.
Light House held a soft opening for friends and family Oct. 12, and officially opened Thursday, owner Tracey Colgrove said. A grand opening is planned after a remodel in November, for which the shop will be closed for a few days.
Window coverings will be opened up to brighten the space. New tables will fill the room.
Colgrove said the shop is going for a rustic look with barn wood and corrugated tin because of the new Frontier District revitalization effort, which includes luxury apartments being built across the street at the site of the former city hall complex. New businesses, including possibly a grocery store, are planned.
With all this excitement regarding downtown, Colgrove said Bellevue stuck out as a spot for expansion.
“We want to be a part of celebrating the old Bellevue and the new Bellevue,” Colgrove said.
Colgrove said he appreciates that Olde Towne feels like a small town because people are so nice to one another. He wants to be part of the Bellevue community by participating in trunk-or-treats and Christmas celebrations.
He said he also chose Bellevue because there was a great need for the Light House ministry, as the city has the highest poverty rate in Sarpy County. The ministry is focused on supporting people, no matter where they’re at in their faith journey, Colgrove said.
“It’s not our mission to sit there and push religion on people,” Colgrove said. “We want to love people where they’re at.”
He said that they intend to better the community by partnering with nonprofits like Lift Up Sarpy County as well as giving food to people in need. A bread program, in partnership with Hy-Vee, will allow Light House to give out bread to those in need.
He hopes Light House can act as a nonjudgmental gathering space for people to come together and feel like they belong.
“This is a place for all people to come,” Colgrove said.
To facilitate that community, Colgrove intends to hold Bible studies eventually, like he does at the Glenwood location. He may also have musicians perform.
Colgrove said Light House is focused on both serving great coffee and great food, using as much locally sourced products as possible.
The cafe and coffee shop has a small but growing menu, Colgrove said. Soon, it will be even bigger than the Glenwood location.
Light House owner Tracey Colgrove pours coffee Friday.
He hopes the gourmet coffee, roasted in St. Joseph, Missouri, will help attract younger customers. They’ll also offer some speciality flavors.
Lighter and medium roasts are Ethiopian and Guatemalan, and he said they’re getting a darker roast that will likely be Belize. They’ll also be adding an espresso machine and blended iced coffee drinks.
As for food, specials will be rotated on a daily basis. They’ll include Mexican food, Philly cheesesteak sandwiches and creative ideas on Thursdays.
“You’re not going to find that this day is exactly the same as the next,” Colgrove said.
An omelet is served Friday at Light House.
Gluten free cinnamon rolls and vegetarian omelet scrambles offer options for people with dietary restrictions. Desserts will include ice cream in the future, as well as coffee-flavored macarons.
Those interested in trying out Light House can for breakfast and lunch. It’s open from 6 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, and 6 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. It’s located at 119 W Mission Ave.
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The Downtown Coffee Shop has been a mainstay of Olde Towne Bellevue.
Light House owner Tracey Colgrove pours coffee Friday.
Light House owner Tracey Colgrove makes an omelet Friday.
The Light House Olde Towne Bellevue opened to the public Thursday.
Light House owner Tracey Colgrove pours an egg Friday.
An omelet is served Friday at Light House.
The Light House Olde Towne Bellevue opened to the public Thursday.
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