When Jack and Roseanna Shipley opened Conscious Cup Coffee Roasters in 2006, they were honoring two important family values: a commitment to social and economic justice, and their father Dean’s pursuit of excellence.
“He’s always had a keen interest in what his children accomplish,” Jack Shipley said about his father. “That’s been a driving force for us.”
“Grandpa Shipley”, as his family calls him, soon became a familiar face at Conscious Cup, offering advice to his family and their customers and enjoying his signature café mocha. Shipley’s wisdom was free flowing, and he shared his thoughts on everything from the store’s décor to its menu.
“He felt like he kind of owned the place,” Roseanna Shipley laughed.
Conscious Cup became a second home for Shipley, until his declining health required he move into Aurora Rehabilitation and Living Center earlier this year.
When Jack and Roseanna Shipley recently began planning to relocate their store to accommodate their expanding business, one important aspect was missing: Grandpa Shipley.
Now a hospice patient, one of Dean Shipley’s dreams was to visit the new Conscious Cup to celebrate his children’s success and offer his thoughts on the future of his family’s business.
Around 20 of Dean’s family members – just some of his seven children, 21 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren – gathered to honor their inspirational family patriarch at an impromptu family reunion at Conscious Cup. Dean was chauffeured to the coffee shop through the Passages Hospice Dream Program. The Dream Program is designed to fulfill unmet wishes for hospice patients and provide families with an opportunity for closure.
“I hope you know how special this is,” Roseanna Shipley said to her father.
Dean Shipley’s eyes grew big as she passed him a café mocha.
“I’m proud of them. It’s very nice,” he said.
Conscious Cup Coffee Roasters has been a Crystal Lake favorite since 2006. The roastery specializes in socially and environmentally sustainable coffee. The new location will feature a café menu of soups, paninis and salads.
The new food offerings are an extension of the family’s commitment to sustainable business practices, with most ingredients coming from local farmers.
“We’ve tried to establish a relationship with the community,” Jack Shipley said.
Visitors to Conscious Cup can watch (and smell!) their coffee being roasted on-site and purchase bulk coffee to take home. The new location also features complimentary wifi access and a comfortable reading corner.
A grand opening celebration will be held on Saturday, August 14th from 6:00am to 9:00pm at 5005 NW Highway (NW Highway at Pingree Grove). The public is invited to sample coffee selections from around the world and items from the new café menu.
