Rockford Midtown Market 2023 →

The chill of winter and weariness of the ongoing pandemic isn’t stopping the Katie’s Cup team from planning some warm weather fun. We are thrilled to announce the upcoming dates for our popular Rockford Midtown Market and Cars & Coffee events for 2022…

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Please Welcome... Katie's Cup Bookstore!

When Katie’s Cup first opened in January 2009, plans were already in the works to integrate a bookstore element into our original business model. But, as time went on, the demands of our day-to-day operations, manpower, and focus shifted to meet the community’s more immediate needs and the changing business landscape. The dream of a bookshop was slowly moved to the back burner of future planning.

Until now…

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More Changes! No Indoor Dining... For Now

PLOT TWIST! Earlier this evening, we were made aware of certain clarifications to the modifications made last Thursday afternoon by the Winnebago County Health Department (WCHD) to the state-level pandemic mitigation measures. These clarifications included the fact that bars and restaurants are NOT allowed to offer regular indoor dining service to their customers, but can accept private functions of 25 or fewer people with reservations, masks, and social distancing in place. To say that we are confused and disappointed is an understatement especially as our region heads into the chilly, wet, and windy seasons of autumn and winter. But we are ready to pivot once again and provide the best possible experience under the state and local health and safety guidelines.

CARRYOUT: We encourage placing your order by phone so we can have everything ready for pick-up when you arrive. But don’t let that stop you from dropping in and grabbing one of our tasty sandwiches or your daily cup o’ coffee. We’ll get you in-and-out the door in no time!

CURBSIDE: Place orders via phone at 815.986.0628 during our business hours (Tuesday - Friday, 8am - 1pm and Saturday, 9am - 1pm). When you arrive at the coffee bar, let us know and we'll run your order out to you. Contactless delivery to your back seat or trunk is not a problem. Just let us know!

Need to modify an order? Have a question? Please call us prior to pick-up as we cannot make any changes to your order or accept any returns or exchanges once your order is completed. All orders must be paid in full at time of ordering; our staff cannot accept any payments curbside.

We love you and we miss serving you in a more personal setting. We will get there again. As ever, we are incredibly appreciative of your patronage during this challenging time and we hope you are able to continue supporting our mission to share love and connection through coffee, conversation, and community every day. Check back soon for all of the latest news and we'll see you very soon at the Cup!

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NEW! NEW! AND MORE NEW!

NEW HOURS! NEW MENU ITEMS! NEW SPECIALS! So much newness, we’re doing the Snoopy dance here at the coffee bar! We are thrilled to announce that we are open for business! Well… for carryout, curbside, and limited rentals, that is. Our new hours of operation are Tuesday-Friday, 8am-1pm, and Saturday, 9am-1pm. Be sure to call during those hours (815.986.0628) and place your orders for some of our delicious new menu selections (and your favorite classics.)

As we continue to bob and weave our way through this crazy time, we are working hard to find new ways to serve you. Today, we are finally able to reveal that…

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Closure Update

Administrator Heather here with a quick update...

Tomorrow, our fantastic volunteer Board of Directors and I will be meeting to discuss the new pandemic mitigation measures and potential reopening options. Based on the information we have received over the past week, we are hopeful for a positive outcome in this matter and will be updating everyone regarding our rentals, food service, and more by the end of this week.

Until then, please consider:

**making a tax-deductible donation through our DONATE page. We are a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit social enterprise supporting the Midtown District neighborhoods and Rockford area communities. For more info on who we are and what we do, please check out our ABOUT page.

**voting for us as "Best Coffee Shop" in the 'What Rocks 2020' contest through the Rockford Register Star at https://rrstar.gannettcontests.com/What-Rocks-2020

**purchasing some of our delicious coffee online day or night and have it delivered right to your door. Head to our BULK COFFEE page for more information and to order.

Thank you so much for your continued support and we'll see you very soon!

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New Mitigation Measures Begin Saturday, Oct. 3rd

As you have probably heard, our region will be under new pandemic mitigation regulations beginning this Saturday, October 3rd. These regulations eliminate indoor seating for dining, limit outdoor seating options, and severely restrict capacity limits for gatherings. Having worked under similar measures this past June during Phase 3, we understand how significant these changes will impact our ability to continue operating. So, it is with a heavy heart that we must temporarily close our doors once again as we regroup and decide how best to move forward in the coming weeks (potentially months) that these measures may stay in place.

While we understand the need for everyone to do their part in keeping each other safe and reducing the transmission of this terrible virus, we are extremely disappointed in the approach and severity that these new measures take on our small segment of the greater business landscape. We at Katie’s Cup, along with many of our fellow local bar and restaurant businesses, have worked tirelessly to provide a safe space for our staff and patrons. We have worked incredibly hard to go above and beyond the required health department protocols and have been forced to constantly shift and adapt as we navigate an ever-changing field of shutdowns, rules, regulations, and enforced guidelines. We have risen to every challenge and continue to pull together to get the job done. Many local establishments will not return from this latest development. Others will return but will be forever altered. But the Katie’s Cup team is not giving up! (more)

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NEW EVENT! Online Art Auction Benefit

We are incredibly excited to host our very first online art auction! The proceeds from this special event will benefit local artists, artisans, and Katie's Cup.

The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced multiple challenges for small businesses and non-profit organizations, but local art communities have been hit even harder. Katie's Cup is partnering with several independent local artists in an effort to provide a much-needed boost and help them survive through these unprecedented times.

As the premier Midtown location for the biannual citywide ArtScene event as well as hosting a monthly rotation of local art and artists, we are acutely aware of the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has created for both small businesses and organizations as well as our local artists and artisans. This auction is a joint partnership between Katie’s Cup and all participating artists with the proceeds benefitting both sides equally.

Many of the items in this auction are currently on display at Katie's Cup coffeebar in our Bitner Room event space. We are open to the public Tuesdays - Fridays 8am-2pm and Saturdays 9am-1pm. We welcome potential bidders to come in and view these beautiful pieces for themselves!

Bidding opens on Thursday, Sept. 10th at 4pm and closes on Saturday, Sept. 26th at 11:59pm. No shipping is available. Items must be picked up at Katie's Cup anytime between Friday, October 2nd and Saturday, October 3rd.

All bidding is online on BiddingOwl.com; no in-store bidding will be accepted. Additional information is listed on the BiddingOwl.com auction site at https://www.biddingowl.com/Auction/home.cfm?auctionID=21487.

Participating Artists:
Arlene Coffeen
Cres D'Sylva
Dawn Vich
Delores Burkholder
Greg LaMont
Janus Rose
Jean Apgar
John Naretta
Maggie Issacs
Marilyn Medina

Katie’s Cup coffeebar is a 501(c)(3) organization located in the heart of the Midtown District on the ground floor of the historic Lantow Building, one of the greenest buildings in the Rockford area. We are deeply committed to supporting the revitalization efforts of the Midtown District through education, engagement, and the assembly of community members from all walks of life to assist in bridging the issues that divide us. For over 11 years, we have provided multiple low- and no-cost programs (i.e. Midtown Free Library, Book Club, Katie’s Cup Conversations series, etc.), fostered various partnerships between local businesses and organizations, sponsored a variety of public events (i.e. Rockford Midtown Market), supported local art (i.e. Rockford Art Guild, Rockford Area Arts Council), artisans, musicians, and much, much more. We have always provided a safe and welcoming space for all and hate has no home with us. Every purchase made in-person or online supports our efforts and allows us to continue serving the community. Thank you for your generosity!

Questions? Please email Heather Ashcraft, Administrator of Katie's Cup, at katiescupcoordinator@gmail.com.

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A Word from our Administrator: We're Still Here

It seems surreal that it was only 5 short months ago that COVID-19 hit our area, forcing us to temporarily shut our doors for 70 days, and changing our lives forever. Five months… and yet it feels like a lifetime ago that we gathered together to celebrate life in all of its joys without remembering to wear a mask, without knowing the term “social distancing”, without reaching for hand sanitizer, or struggling to find cleaning supplies. We talked and laughed, sang and hugged, learned and prayed together without fear or concern that any place we went, any trip we took, any face-to-face interaction we had could potentially become a choice of life or death for ourselves, our family members, our friends, our community. This was a moment most of us never saw coming, and those that did desperately hoped it would never occur.

“I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo. “So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” - J.R.R. Tolkien ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’

As a wife, a mother, a daughter, a friend, and as an administrator, I am acutely aware of how much we all miss those earlier times; casual, laid-back, day-to-day as usual. Life was simpler, and all of the New Year’s jokes about the “Roaring ‘20s” coming back were just that… jokes. We miss movies and live music, concerts and classes, and our connection to others in a way we never expected to miss them. We feel angry, frustrated, confused, powerless, even scared, with seemingly no end in sight. We try to stay positive, informed, and understanding as we continue to navigate this new landscape of negative headlines, closures, quarantining, and cancellations. We attempt to quell our anxieties as the scientists continue to study this new, deadly intruder into our everyday existence and find new outlets for calm and self-care. The ground beneath our feet feels rocky… unbalanced… fragile… Yet, we endure and carry on.

“Whether it's the best of times or the worst of times, it's the only time we've got.” - Art Buchwald

Like many other independent businesses and fellow not-for-profit organizations, we continue to face the possibility that we may yet have to close up shop, but we continue to fight the good fight and take each day as it comes. Our worry that no one would fill our seats during this pandemic has been allayed, but we still have many empty chairs awaiting patrons each day. Folks have begun to once again entrust us with their small, socially distanced celebrations, yet we cannot hold nearly the capacity of people or events that we could pre-COVID. We continue to make modifications to our inventory and procedures in an effort to close the gap between expenses and income, explore new technologies and modified best practices to bridge the obstacles the virus has put in our path in bringing people together, and continue to receive a variety of blessings (financial and otherwise) from this community that we so deeply love and care for.

“To fight the good fight is one of the bravest and noblest of life's experiences. Not the bloodshed and the battle of man with man, but the grappling with mental and spiritual adversaries that determines the inner caliber of the contestant. It is the quality of the struggle put forth by a man that proclaims to the world what manner of man he is far more than may be by the termination of the battle.” – Hugh B. Brown

We persist in our efforts to keep our staff and customers as safe and healthy as we possibly can. While we have always worked to keep Katie’s Cup clean, our staff is meeting (or, in many cases, exceeding) all CDC, Winnebago County Health Department, and the City of Rockford ‘Clean Hands, Open Doors’ guidelines when cleaning and sanitizing our entire facility. Our staff is well-versed in the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and is subject to temperature and wellness checks at each shift they work. They know to stay home and inform management if they are in question at all about their health or the health of someone in their home, and are well-trained in all “Next Steps” should anyone test positive for the virus. We continue to closely monitor what government and health officials have to say and are following all of their instructions, guidelines, and recommendations to the best of our ability.

“Time is a sort of river of passing events, and strong is its current; no sooner is a thing brought to sight than it is swept by and another takes its place, and this too will be swept away.” - Marcus Aurelius

This pandemic will end. There will be a time in the not-too-distant future when we will look back and remember the challenges this crisis has presented. We will count our blessings and take stock of the lessons we learned. We will never forget how we made it through to the “other side”. But to reach those moments of simplicity once again, we must endure through the chaos of our current situation and do our part to protect and aid each other. Let us move forward collectively during this defining moment in time and emerge stronger than ever before. We invite you to join us and make this journey together.

Katie’s Cup remains deeply committed to its mission of engagement, support, sustainability, and community building within the Midtown District, its neighborhood residents, and the Rock River Valley region. We will continue to provide a safe and welcoming space for everyone, serve those living and working within our community, and lead by example that hate has no home here.

5 months… and we continue… with endurance and patience, in gratitude and succor. We miss you. We love you. We thank you.

~ Heather Ashcraft, Administrator, Katie’s Cup coffeebar

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Changes are Coming This Week: hours, rentals, and giving thanks.

CHANGES ARE COMING THIS WEEK!

Let’s face it… 2020 has not been an easy year for small businesses and local organizations. 70 days in shutdown mode, curbside and carryout options only, and now limited capacities on indoor dining combined with constantly-changing guidelines and regulations have presented a myriad of new and unexpected hardships. But, Katie’s Cup is resilient and we have never backed away from a challenge. When we opened our doors over 11 years ago, we made a commitment to the community that we would be here for the long haul. So, after much deliberation, we have decided to modify our hours of operation to better serve our customers, our staff, and the needs of the community during this time of crisis and allow us to continue that service well into the future.

Starting tomorrow, Monday, July 12th, Katie’s Cup Coffeebar will be open:

  • Tuesdays – Fridays, 8am – 2pm

  • Saturdays, 9am – 1pm

  • Sundays and Mondays, Closed

Another positive change is that we are reopening our rental reservation system beginning this Wednesday, July 15th. Information on our rental spaces, changes to our event policies, attendee requirements, rentals fees, how to reserve a space, and more can be found on our website at www.katiescup.com/rentals.

From the bottom of our hearts, we thank each and every one of you that have supported us throughout the years and especially for the last several months. It has been a rollercoaster ride to be sure, but your encouragement and love strengthens our resolve and blesses us every day we open our doors. We look forward to serving you soon, now and in the years to come.

~ Heather Ashcraft, Administrator, Katie’s Cup

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Indoor Dining Reopens Today!

IT’S TIME!

Starting Wednesday, July 1st, we are open for indoor dining during our new business hours of Monday - Saturday, 7am - 2pm. Our outdoor seating will continue to be available when weather permits.

We are so excited to be reopening our doors to the public once again! But, before we do, we need to share some of the changes we’ve made so that you know what to expect. Unfortunately, COVID19 continues to be a part of our lives and we are adapting the best that we can so as to provide you with the safest possible experience. If we all do our part, we will be able to stay open and continue welcoming the community back for a long time to come.

We now have Sanitation Stations! You will find a variety of hand sanitizer, masks, gloves, and disposable hand towels available at our front door, the door to the restrooms, and between our seating areas. We also encourage washing your hands often and please let us know if we run out of anything so that we can restock quickly.

We have expanded our coffee bar seating area to provide plenty of tables and chairs while social distancing. You may notice that all of the tables are now a minimum of 6 feet apart and that seating at each table has been reduced to comply with the Phase 4 capacity limits. We are unable to provide additional seating at this time. If you need a little more room, our Community Room in the lower level can offer seating for up to 15 people; just ask one of our baristas for availability.

For the safety of our patrons and staff, MASKS ARE REQUIRED when entering and exiting Katie’s Cup, when utilizing the bathrooms, when waiting in line to order, or whenever you are moving about our facility. You do not need to wear a mask when sitting at your table to eat and drink. This requirement follows guidelines set forth by the CDC, the State of Illinois, the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Winnebago County Health Department, and the City of Rockford and is non-negotiable.

If you are unable to use a mask, are exhibiting virus symptoms, have come into contact with someone that’s been ill, or just aren’t ready to dine indoors, we’ve got you covered! Our Carryout and Curbside services are continuing throughout Phase 4 and we’d be happy to take your order via phone at 815.986.0628 or online at Katiescup.com/order.

At this time, our management team is reviewing and revising our rental policies and procedures to align with the new Phase 4 requirements and guidelines. Due to these changes, we are not accepting any new reservations until Monday, August 3rd and our Community Room is no longer available for rentals. If you have an event booked with us for July, we will be contacting you over the next few days to discuss these new guidelines and available options. We are available to answer questions during business hours by phone at 815.986.0628 or via email at Katiescupcoffee@gmail.com.

We look forward to welcoming you back to Katie's Cup in the coming weeks. The staff and has been hard at work to provide everyone the best possible experience and to begin a new chapter in serving our community. We hope to see you again at the Cup very soon!

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A Word from our Administrator: "Welcome Back!"

Since we first began responding and adapting to COVID‑19 earlier this year, Katie’s Cup has held the safety and care of our staff, our customers, and our community in the highest priority. We have moved forward through this shutdown period with serious consideration and forethought of how we may best serve our patrons and team when reopening occurred.

77 days is a long time for any business to have its doors shuttered. But for a small, local not-for-profit such as ours, the toll exacted has been profound. That said, it was a challenge we were willing to meet. Business plans change, new employment can be obtained, bills can be dealt with, but lives do not come with a backup. Doing our part meant turning off our lights, locking our doors, and working from home for a stretch. But now it’s time to return to a new “normal” and find ways to navigate this altered, yet familiar landscape.

The world has changed and Katie’s Cup is working to adapt to it the best that we are able. As we are a gathering hub for the community, finding new ways to serve you without the “gathering” portion of our mission has brought about the development of new techniques and processes until we may assemble once again within our walls and spaces.

We have missed all of you terribly, but we have also been uplifted by the generosity of support through the last 2 ½ months and inspired by so many others within the industry. Your donations and purchases of our t-shirts, coffee, books, and mugs have assisted in supporting our staff and covering some of our operating expenses (many of which didn’t stop during the shutdown.) We are truly blessed with some of the best customers and friends!

Now, as we prepare to unlock our doors and turn our lights back on, we hope that you’ll join us on the next leg of our journey. After 11 ½ years of serving the community, we begin again with open hearts, delicious food and drink, and plenty of hand sanitizer. Our only request is for your patience as we move forward in this endeavor. It will take us a few weeks or so to work out the “bugs” in the system, but I can assure you that we are committed to providing you the best customer service possible.

Thank you for being a part of Katie’s Cup. Stay healthy, stay safe, and we’ll see you soon at the Cup!

~ Heather Ashcraft, Administrator, Katie’s Cup coffeebar

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We're Back! Curbside Service Begins June 2nd at 7am.

We knew this day would come; the local government would say it’s okay to start reopening. Yesterday, the State of Illinois presented its new guidelines for Phase 3 reopening of various businesses and organizations beginning Friday, May 29th, which include all bars and restaurants within the state.

This means us. It’s time to get back to work!

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, June 2nd at 7am because Katie's Cup coffeebar will be back in operation to fulfill all of your coffee and lunch (and breakfast) needs! We may be running a little differently (curbside service only), but we still have the same delicious JavaMania Coffee Roastery coffee, fresh-made sandwiches and salads, and lots of smiles ready to brighten your day.

TWO WAYS TO ORDER: You will be able to place orders via phone at 815.986.0628 during our new business hours (Monday - Friday, 7am - 2pm) or on our NEW online menu at Katiescup.com/order.

HOW IT WORKS: When you order, you will receive a Pick-Up time via phone or email (depending on how you placed the order). Just head to Katie's Cup at your assigned time, call us to let us know you're here, we'll ask a couple of questions (name on order, model and color of vehicle), and we'll run your order out to you. Contactless delivery to your back seat or truck is not a problem. Just let us know!

Need to modify an order? Have a question? Please call us at 815.986.0628 during business hours prior to pick-up as we cannot make any changes to your order or accept any returns or exchanges once your order is completed. All orders must be paid in full at time of ordering; our staff cannot accept any payments curbside.

THE CHANGES – WHY…?/WHY NOT…?: As we navigate this new and uncertain landscape of the restaurant industry in the midst of a pandemic crisis, we are choosing to initially limit our hours as we implement a graduated reopening plan in conjunction with all state and local health and safety guidelines. We get it. Everyone wants to go back to “normal”. So do we, but we want our customers, staff, and volunteers to stay safe, so we’re opting to take a “slow-and-steady” approach. We do have plans around expanding our hours and services (door-front carryout, anyone? Outdoor seating?), the eventual reopening of our gathering spaces (soon, we hope), and are excited to eventually unveil them. In the meantime, we will take our first steps back towards serving the local community as we have for the past decade.

We love you and we miss serving you in a more personal setting. We will get there again. We’re just not there yet. We’re so appreciative of your patronage during this challenging time and we hope you are able to continue supporting our mission to share love and connection through coffee, conversation, and community every day. Check back soon for all of the latest news and we'll see you very soon at the Cup!

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We're going LIVE! New online events for May.

Katie’s Cup is headed to a computer, laptop, or phone near you this month! For the first time, we are now offering our Conversations events to the public through Zoom and hosting a special online fundraiser to provide coffee for the night shift staff of the COVID19 unit at SwedishAmerican Hospital. As we work together to bring the spirit and engagement you expect from Katie’s Cup directly into your home, we hope that you’ll join us and continue to support small, local organizations in our community.

Thursday, May 7th (7 - 8pm): Campfire Sing-a-long! with Pastor Mike Thomas (and special guest)

Donations received during this event through our PayPal link will go towards providing coffee to the hard-working night shift staff in the COVID19 department at SwedishAmerican Hospital.


Katie’s Cup Conversations - both begin at 12:00pm (noon)

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Mandate Extended, but There's Light at the End of the Tunnel

As of May 1st, the State of Illinois is continuing its statewide “Shelter in Place” mandate but with modifications to allow a safer, gradual reopening of businesses and organizations throughout Illinois. We will continue to closely monitor any and all information and new directives from government and health agencies as our staff and Board lay out our own path to reopening the coffee bar and rental spaces.

We are encouraged and grateful beyond words for the love and kindness you have shown us during the last 38 days (and counting). We are working hard behind the scenes to acquire necessary PPE materials including masks, gloves, and shielding to protect our customers and staff when we are finally able to open our doors. We are modifying our processes to balance ease of operations with safety and are actively engaged with the Winnebago County Health Department's cleaning, sanitation, and social distancing guidelines to provide the best possible environment possible for everyone that visits us. If you would like to support our efforts and our staff during this challenging time, please check out our new "Support Us" page (https://www.katiescup.com/support-us) and consider making a purchase or tax-deductible donation.

For those that have scheduled rental events in May… We will be contacting all affected parties regarding their rental events within the week to provide the best possible resolution during this chaotic and uncertain time. If you have an event scheduled with us for the month of May and have any questions or concerns, please contact us at katiescupcoffee@gmail.com. Our team is working from home, so please bear with us as responses may be delayed.

Thank you so much for your generosity and love of Katie’s Cup. We look forward to welcoming you back through our doors again very soon!

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Statewide Closure Mandate Extended

As of yesterday, March 31, 2020, the State of Illinois has extended its statewide “Shelter in Place” mandate through April 30th. Unfortunately, this means that Katie’s Cup must continue to keep its doors closed and ask its staff and volunteers to stay safe at home. We have already taken the proactive step and canceled all Katie’s Cup hosted or sponsored events for the month of April.

For those that have scheduled rental events this month… We will be contacting all affected parties regarding their rental events within the week to provide the best possible resolution during this chaotic and uncertain time. If you have an event scheduled with us for the month of April and have any questions or concerns, please contact us at katiescupcoffee@gmail.com. Our team is working from home, so please bear with us as responses may be delayed.

If you would like to help support our staff and organization during this difficult time, please check out our new Support Us page for more information and how you can keep Katie’s Cup going until we can re-open in May. Thank you so much for your generosity and love of Katie’s Cup. We look forward to welcoming you back through our doors again soon!

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Support Katie's Cup with Gift Certificates

As we continue to adapt to the new normal of “Shelter in Place” and find ways to stay healthy, the Katie’s Cup team has been hard at work developing new ways to offer our customers something special from the safety of their own home. We now have three ways that you can support Katie’s Cup, all from your computer or mobile phone. You can donate directly to Katie’s Cup, buy some of our delicious JavaMania coffee, and now you can purchase gift certificates! Your choice of $10, $25, $40, and $50 certificates that are emailed directly to you. Just download your certificate, then print and bring it into the coffee bar when we re-open. It’s as easy as that! Your purchases and donations will help to support our staff during this unprecedented time and allow us to continue serving the community when we are able to re-open and gather together again. Thank you and stay safe!

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Additional April Events Canceled

In an effort to protect the health of all involved, we have made the difficult decision to cancel a number of Katie’s Cup hosted/sponsored events scheduled for the month of April. Our management team will continue to monitor the ever-changing landscape of this ongoing crisis and make the decision in regards to further cancellations as needed. We hope to reschedule some of these events later in the year when we may come together as a community in body as well as spirit. Please stay healthy, stay safe.

April Canceled Events (as of 3/27/2020)

  • Katie’s Choice Book Club (postponed until May 10th)

  • Cars & Coffee Planning Meeting

  • Jesus Christ Superstar Singalong

  • Katie’s Cup Conversation - with Sustain Rockford

  • Springtime Joy - Music in the Midtown concert series

  • Spring ArtScene

  • Saturday Sessions Music Series (all March and April performances)

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