3-19-2023 5:26pm

elev815 members visit popular coffee shop in Rockton

DeeDee Weiser of DeeDee's Main Street Coffee & Decor

Members of elev815, with their families and friends, gathered at DeeDee’s Main Street Coffee and Décor in Rockton on Thursday evening, March 16, 2023.

DeeDee Weiser, owner of the shop and a member of elev815, hosted the event.

The quaint little shop was packed with elev815 members, their family and friends. Everyone was invited to sample the coffee, cold drinks, and treats.

The iconic building at 101 Main Street has been the home of many businesses over its 100-year history. A gem store, telegraph office, real estate firm, Mrs. Goss’s Confectionary, an antique shop, and many more businesses once occupied the building. It is now the home of DeeDee’s Main St. Coffee and Décor.

Three years ago, DeeDee Weiser had a dream of opening a décor business in Rockton. She fell in love with the building that sits on the corner of Blackhawk and Main Street. She and her husband fixed it up and moved in.

Friends suggested that she also include coffee or cold drinks in her shop. She pursued the idea and contracted with local roasters Ant Walach and Rita Kaminsky.

The coffee roasters produce Snowdrift Coffee, a specialty small-batch coffee, in their Roscoe home.

DeeDee’s has become a place for friends to get together for coffee, cold drinks and sweet treats as well as casual meetings. The store is open 6:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., daily.

DeeDee’s will be celebrating three years in business in May. A new venture, “DeeDee’s on the Go,” a mobile coffee truck, will be hitting the road this Spring.

elev815 is a local not-for-profit business organization made up of volunteers committed to supporting community, youth and small businesses. Fundraising activities are held throughout the year.

Each year the group awards scholarships to Hononegah Community High School graduating seniors. This year South Beloit High School and Harlem High are included as well.

elev815 members often host after-hour tours of their businesses and refreshments. Business owners have the opportunity to talk about their business and showcase what they have to offer.