Please Stop by this Saturday Feb 10th for the Grand Opening celebration
2020 Main st. Crossplains WI
All day 6am to 7pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Feb. 6, 2007

CONTACT: Mary Devitt (608) 798-2080, (608) 219-4685

CROSSROADS COFFEEHOUSE MAKES ITS CROSS PLAINS DEBUT

Cross Plains, Wis. -- Crossroads Coffeehouse, LLC, a family owned and operated cafe serving fair trade coffees and teas, has opened its doors in Cross Plains, 2020 Main St.

Crossroads specializes in premium coffee and tea products produced under sustainable, fair and environmentally sound circumstances. The menu includes the full range of coffees, teas and drinking chocolates, as well as fancy soda, baked goods, gourmet crackers and soups.

The initiative of Cross Plains resident Mary Devitt, the coffeehouse is intended to be the kind of destination currently not available in the village or nearby western Dane County.

"Coffee is the centerpiece, but we also want to encourage people to sit and enjoy their cup of coffee or tea in a warm, inviting setting," Devitt said "We hope Crossroads becomes a destination. We think we're providing something that we didn't have in the community."

Crossroads' coffee reputation rests squarely on the shoulders of Master Barista Scott Spilger. Spilger has developed a comprehensive menu of traditional espresso drinks. Crossroads coffee comes from Madison's Just Coffee, a worker-owned cooperative that serves as a supplier and roaster of fair trade coffee.

Local products are used as much as possible to ensure freshness and to encourage local business growth, Devitt explained. For example, the dairy products used by Crossroads are produced by Blue Marble Family Farm, Barneveld.

Beyond coffee, the coffeehouse features gallery space for artists of local, regional and national stature. With the help of Madison West High School art teacher and consultant Barbara Drews, Devitt plans to feature the work of six to eight artists per year. Crossroads debuted with the vintage photos of the late Alfred Watson, abstract painter Jane Gates, and water colorist Nancy Cox.

Since opening its doors Jan. 2, Crossroads has enjoyed a brisk business. Book clubs, knitting and sewing groups, and others looking for a quiet, smoke-free atmosphere have already started to settle in, Devitt noted.

The coffee house also has games and books, and offers free wireless internet access.

Devitt said Crossroads has been very well received by the Cross Plains business and civic communities: "The reception has been amazing. People need a place to meet and have quiet conversation and, often, after civic and community meetings in the evening people are looking for a place to go. That's what I've been hearing."

In the future, Crossroads may also become a venue for music and other public events.

A Grand Opening event for the coffee house is scheduled for Saturday Feb. 10, 2007 beginning at 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. The event will feature coffee, tea, bakery and Italian soda samples; a drawing for an Alfred Watson black and white print; crossroads gift baskets, and lattes galore.

Crossroads is part of the Main Street Station development by Mike Roessler of Cross Plains. The building is the old but refurbished and expanded Frank's Market. Located on the south side of Highway 14 ("the right side of the road") and with ample parking, Crossroads is positioned to serve commuters from western Dane County and other travelers on Highway 14, in addition to local residents.

Crossroads hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.