A Galesburg coffee institution has made its way to Peoria.
Innkeeper’s Fresh Roasted Coffee, located at 80 N. Seminary St. in Galesburg, has opened a new location inside OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria — on the main level of the hospital’s main corridor, in a space that has housed food vendors over the years. The shop is owned by Jessica and Ben Ketchum.
The shop held a soft opening last week with a limited menu and hours, with owner Jessica Ketchum saying the plan is to expand both over the coming weeks.
Ketchum said the opportunity came to them, and after months of planning with hospital administration, the decision felt right.
“We believe in the mission of OSF and are honored to share their space to serve these individuals that work so hard to bring great healthcare to so many in central Illinois,” she said.
Ketchum said the Peoria location will offer the same look and feel as the Galesburg shop, along with Innkeeper’s menu favorites and some additional grab-and-go items suited to a hospital environment.
“You’ll see a good mix of Innkeeper’s favorites on the menu, as well as some additional items that allow for quick grab-and-go service,” she said.
The new location currently has seven staff members on board, with a few additional part-time positions expected to be added as hours and offerings expand.
Ketchum said Innkeeper’s mission translates especially well to a hospital setting.
“We stand behind our mission to be the best stolen moment of the day,” she said. “We believe that this moment of hospitality and peace is especially important in a hospital environment.”
The response from the start has been meaningful. Ketchum said one of the first customers through the door was a Galesburg regular.
“One of our first interactions when opening our doors was with a dear Galesburg regular that informed us that we felt like a piece of home when it was needed the most,” she said.
As for further expansion, Ketchum said there are no current plans beyond the Peoria location — but the door is open.
“We don’t currently have any plans for further expansion, but we certainly aren’t opposed,” she said. “This expansion has taught us a lot about the logistics of expanding outside of our immediate Galesburg area, and we now feel more comfortable with the process.”
Innkeeper’s Galesburg location remains at 80 N. Seminary St.
