On a bitterly cold day, there’s nothing like a nice hot cup of cocoa, coffee or cider. The aroma alone can bring passersby into Two-a-T, a specialty coffee store in Crystal Lake that’s a nice place to defrost.
Owned by Debbie Kamholz and Maureen Collins, both from Crystal Lake, Two-a-T started out six years ago as a gift basket business run out of Kamholz’s home. But in August of 1993, the women decided to expand their business, so they opened a small store just across from the Crystal Lake train depot.
“We have a real faithful train crowd,” says Collins, noting that the shop opens at 6 a.m. sharp. Croissants, pastries, apple strudel and cookies (95 cents each) are among the items available to accompany the coffee (75 cents for 16 ounces).
While the coffee and sweets are a draw, the store is also popular for its specialty gift baskets and decorative boxes (starting at $10) that can be filled with a number of gourmet foods and beverages from coffee, tea and hot chocolates to soups, pastas, cookies and crackers. Shoppers are escorted through the store by Kamholz and Collins, who suggest ideas for the baskets.
“We try to find out who the gift is for, if they are snackers, or if they like to cook,” explains Kamholz. “It’s a gift that’s very well received because it’s something they know they’re going to like. Food generally appeals to everyone.”
When it comes to the freshness of the coffee, Two-a-T sells nothing that is more than a week old, according to Kamholz. Beans are bought from a local coffee roaster, with ground coffee also available; prices start at $2 for a quarter-pound of regular blend up to $4.50 for a quarter-pound of Hawaiian Kona coffee.
Each month, a specialty coffee is featured along with a specialty drink.
“We do everything by hand,” says Collins of the specialty drinks served at the store. “Our hot chocolate is made with hand-whipped steamed milk topped with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles.”
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Two-a-T, 64 E. Woodstock St., Crystal Lake, is open 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Call 815-455-2002.
