Brewin' up success: Dixon’s Coffee Crush celebrates five years

DIXON – A Dixon coffee shop has been crushing it with customers for the past five years.

Coffee Crush opened at 122 N. Peoria Ave. across from Dixon High School on Dec. 20, 2019. Owner and Dixon native Shelly Brantley started the coffee shop after leaving a decades-long career in social work, including 14 years as director of the domestic violence and sexual assault program for the YWCA and six years as the director of the Shining Star Children’s Advocacy Center in Dixon.

“I got to a point in my career where I wanted a change,” Brantley said. “I always joked with my husband about opening a coffee shop. Finally, he was like, ‘Well, do it already.’”

Brantley admitted that she knew nothing about running a coffee shop when she started. However, she was quick to learn the ropes and worked with her staff, which has grown to 15 baristas, to create a welcoming space for customers.

“We have regulars who have been coming since we opened and still show up every day,” Brantley said. “We know about their families, what they’re going through, and we even have customers who bring some of the baristas Christmas presents.”

Coffee Crush offers more than just a classic cup of joe. It also serves cold brew and nitro coffee, espressos, frappes, teas, hot and cold drinks, pastries and sandwiches.

Customers can sit down with their favorite caffeinated beverage and choose from several sandwiches, smoothie bowls or baked goods, including cinnamon rolls, cookies, croissants, bagels, muffins and Belgian waffles.

“Our baristas are the creative minds behind all the drinks,” Brantley said. “They are always coming up with new flavor combinations and ideas. Some things turn out terrible. Some things are delicious. They’re good at it, and they’re all very creative. Two of our most popular lattes are our Turtle Mochaccino and the Caramel Butterscotch Latte.”

Brantley said customers regularly request to sample from the multitude of drinks. She created coffee flights to satisfy their demands. This lets customers order a sample-size four-pack of drinks from a set menu, served in glasses that are for dine-in only.

“We just released our winter coffee flights,” Brantley said. “These are great for a coffee date or coming with a group of friends to try something new.”

Brantley has made more than coffee since opening the shop. She has brewed up lasting friendships with her customers and a space where she feels everyone is welcome.

“We love it when this place is packed,” Brantley said. “People come in for lunch, to work or when they have meetings. I love that it is a place where people want to come and meet their friends or do their work, or just hang out. To see the college kids come home – it’s kids we saw come through here at lunchtime when they were in high school. Then they go away to college, and they still come in when they come home. I love that.”

Coffee Crush is open from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call 815-345-5909 or email coffeecrushdixon@gmail.com.