Myra and Gabe Gleason ceremoniously broke ground Wednesday morning on Wild Bloom Coffee, a drive-thru coffee and pastry shop on the east side of U.S. 169 at North Dakota Road.
The Gleasons also own Fillmore Coffeehouse & Plant Cafe on the Iola square.
“We chose ‘Wild Bloom’ because we’re growing as a community,” Myra Gleason told a crowd of about 30 who gathered on a warm and windy morning. “This is truly a land of opportunity.”
Gabe Gleason noted the drive-thru’s convenience. “People won’t have to get out of their cars — or PJs — for a good cup of coffee and muffin.”
The Gleasons estimate it will take six weeks to build the structure, “and we will finish it out,” Myra said, including drywalling.
They hope the drive-thru will be open for business by Halloween.
As a frequent traveler to both Kansas City or Tulsa, Myra noted the lack of “good coffee” along the route.
“You can go two hours without any opportunities along the highway,” she said.
“I’m also hoping this will draw people into Iola,” she said. “If they get good service and a good cup of coffee with us, then I’m hoping it will pique their interest as to what else Iola has to offer,” she said.
The Gleasons plan to staff the drive-thru with high school and college students. Their hours will be from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
IN ADDITION to the drive-thru, the Gleasons have long term goals of developing the site into a Farmers Market on Saturdays as well as a gardening spot. The Gleasons are leasing the land from Jennifer Chester.
The Iola Chamber hosted Wednesday’s groundbreaking.
