New coffee shop opens in Iola

IOLA – The former Sweet Medicine Pharmacy on Main Street in Iola has been transformed into the village’s brand new coffee shop.
The building was purchased last March by Cindy Schamber and her family, with her husband Jeremy Zielke and her children Alyiah Weed and Alex Zielke, who immediately started working at renovating the former pharmacy.
After pulling out carpet and reflooring, adding a wall, custom woodwork, painting and updating the space, they were able to open up Jan. 31 as Iola Coffee Co.
“I can still see the blue stripe around the border and the gray walls and the blue carpet on the floor,” said Schamber. “We worked with a lot of amazing people to make this happen.”
Schamber said the goal of opening a coffee shop has been one her and her family have had for a long time, as her and Alyiah often patronize coffee shops.

“Then this building came available,” said Schamber. “We watched it for a quite a while and then we were finally able to purchase this building and that’s how, as a family, we said, ‘Guess what? We’re opening a coffee shop.’”
Schamber said the main feature they were looking for in a potential coffee shop site was a drive-through window to add convenience to the customer experience.
As soon as you walk in to the shop there is a large mural of downtown Iola circa 1925, Schamber said they were able to get this mural thanks to the Iola Historical Society.
Schamber and her family were able to look through old pictures and pick one to enlarge to create what she called a conversational piece for the coffee shop.
Currently they are offering a full drink menu that includes lotus energy drinks, hot chocolate, boba tea, chai tea and lattes.
Schamber said they are hoping to get food in the shop as soon as they can, which will include paninis and wraps. Currently they are offering bakery items.
In addition to the drive-up window, they also have an open lobby to sit and eat and drink coffee, as well as online ordering to add to convenience.
“We’re just excited to be able to bring this to the community,” said Schamber. “The community has been very supportive.”
The Iola Coffee Shop is open Monday through Friday 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 8 a.m. to noon.
For more information you can find them on Facebook at Iola Coffee Co. or online at www.iolacoffee.com.