Tom Steiner, owner of Blue Bottle, Inc., a Viennese-style coffee house, has had his share of memorable moments. Upon opening the coffee shop in 2001 after moving from Chicago, not only did he become a hit with Ball State University students and staff, but he fulfilled a dream.
"My wife and I had one of those talks where you just question everything," said Steiner. "She asked me, 'Do you have any dreams?'
and I said 'Yeah, all the time. I always thought it would be cool to open a coffee shop' and so we did."
Beginning in the Village, the couple created "a place for thinking, reading, planning, loving, relaxing, working, conspiring, philosophizing,
but especially dreaming," as the Blue Bottle's Web site puts it.
He has witnessed most of those activities completed.
"Right before we closed in the Village, we had a guy come in and ask to use our upstairs mezzanine," said Steiner. "It turns out that a couple years ago, he met and fell in love with a girl in the store. That day, he used the upstairs of the store to propose to her."
The shop isn't just a coffee shop, said Steiner. The Blue Bottle's slogan, "Making Friends One Cup at a Time," has been portrayed by a
world map he had hung in the Village's location, dozens of pushpins placed in every continent. Even Gandhi's grandson has stopped in,
said Steiner.
"It has just been a wonderful meeting ground," said Steiner. "There are five or six places in Muncie where you can get coffee. The people, they don't have to come in here, they want to come in here. Our customers are our friends."
Sara Wilson, an employee of the shop for a couple of months, has enjoyed the welcoming environment.
"I love working here," said Wilson. "Tom is a really awesome boss, probably one of the best I've ever had. Everyone here is a really good person."
Now, Steiner is adjusting to the environment of downtown. Located at 206 S. Walnut St., the Blue Bottle has shifted clientele bases but hopes
to keep the old, as well as bring new patrons.
"The village is like its own little world unto itself," said Steiner. "There has been several times where people come back in and tell me if I've given them too much change. The overall honesty and sincerity of people there - things like that make you think there is hope for humanity.
"But, downtown is treating me wonderful. We still bring in quite a bit of the students and staff. The community here is very helpful with advice and tips. It's a different dynamic, and I enjoy both places."
An average day is busy and long, but always worthwhile, said Steiner.
In the shop by 6 a.m. to prepare breakfast, he then begins lunch at 10 a.m. and does bookwork, make drinks and food, and helps with customers until about 2:30 in the afternoon, before getting a break with his 6-year-old daughter. He picks her up from kindergarten and spends the rest of the evening with her, not coming back to the shop until around 9 p.m. to close for the day.
"When you own your own business, it's busy, but it's what you have to do," said Steiner.
However, Steiner and the Blue Bottle plan to stay around for a long time to come. The shop has branched out over its three-year span and will continue to, while keeping its warm and cozy environment.
"We opened the doors and the place took on a life of its own," said Steiner. "People make what they want out of the place. The only thing I've been trying to do is make sure everyone has a pleasant, wonderful experience."
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