Peoria’s Leaves ‘n Beans Coffee is scaling up its operations by relocating its roastery and headquarters to a newly renovated 7,600-square-foot facility, formerly a K-Mart tire center.
At the heart of the operation, the company’s trusted Diedrich IR-12 roaster continues to power production from the rear of the new space. Meanwhile, the front of the facility features a 1,000-square-foot retail store offering fresh-roasted coffee by the quarter, half, or full pound. Shelves of merchandise and a service counter cater to walk-in customers seeking high-quality coffee.
Although the new location lacks the full-service coffee shop amenities found at Leaves ‘n Beans’ three other Peoria-area locations, it introduces a compact espresso, brewing, and tea bar. This addition allows customers to sample beverages before making a purchase.
“To complement the experience when you come in to pick up some good single-origin beans, you can also get a double shot of espresso or samples brewed up,” said Leaves ‘n Beans Coffee owner James Cross. “Once we get settled in, we’re planning to start offering tea flights, coffee flights, and other experiences to deepen customer engagement.”
Efficiency at the Core of Operations
A key feature of the new headquarters is a large walk-in cooler, supported by a loading dock, enabling the efficient storage and distribution of fresh produce and café supplies.
“Our business model is unique,” Cross explained. “We secure volume discounts by purchasing as one central location, then portion out smaller amounts to each store. This reduces food spoilage to nearly zero. Our stores need minimal cold storage — just a fridge or two — because we deliver fresh ingredients three times a week. This ensures every location offers the freshest possible ingredients.”
A Legacy of Local Roasting
Founded over 40 years ago in nearby Groveland, Leaves ‘n Beans originally sourced its coffee from a New York-based roaster. In the mid-1990s, the company transitioned to in-house roasting, and Cross joined the team in 2006, training on the same Diedrich IR-12 roaster that remains central to production today.
“We’ve kept it running, though it’s been Frankensteined over the years — I doubt there’s an original part left,” said Cross. “It’s been moved three times now, and it’s still going strong.”
In 2008, Cross revitalized the business by purchasing it out of bankruptcy, leveraging financing to reopen and rebuild its operations.
Sourcing and Expansion
Leaves ‘n Beans relies heavily on Intercontinental Coffee Trading for its green coffee supply, supplemented by seasonal imports from other suppliers to maintain a balance between consistency and uniqueness.
“We like to keep sourcing flexible to ensure we’re always offering something unique,” Cross noted. “Coffee quality can vary year to year due to climate, so we work hard to strike a balance between uniqueness and consistency.”
With its expanded facility, Leaves ‘n Beans is poised to extend its distribution footprint beyond the local area.
“We’re no longer confined to a 30-minute drive radius,” Cross said. “With our trucks, we can now reach locations an hour or two away, including cities like Bloomington, Champaign, Springfield, and Galesburg. This expansion gives us opportunities to grow our accounts significantly.”
Positioned for Growth
By enhancing its production, storage, and distribution capabilities, Leaves ‘n Beans Coffee is strengthening its position as a key player in the region’s specialty coffee scene, ready to serve more customers while maintaining its commitment to quality and innovation.