Working in the service industry puts a lot of emphasis on feeding the customers. For Rhonda Bloch, her passion is all about feeding the souls.
Growing up in East Chicago, Bloch was acclimated to the service industry at an early age.
“I started working when I was 15 years old at some restaurants in East Chicago,” Bloch said. “My mother was in the food business, so I followed her lead. I learned every aspect of the restaurants from front to back.”
By the time she turned 30, Bloch used this experience to start thinking of a business idea for herself.
She originally opened up Tiffany’s Tea Room. The business did well, but Bloch felt that there needed to be a change after more than a decade. She decided to flip it into a coffee shop and has carried on that idea ever since.
“I fell in love with it,” Bloch said. “There’s nothing else that I’ve run into or wanted to do. I’m very passionate about the coffee shop.”
Today, she serves as the owner of Sip Coffee House and Artisan Cafe. The business holds locations in Highland, Hobart, Cedar Lake and Crown Point. The location at Crown Point is the home to the original Tiffany’s Tea Room and Sip Coffee House.
Being at the helm of a business with several locations, Bloch has really enjoyed being able to meet new customers and make new friends that come into the shops.
“We try to create a cozy atmosphere that our customers can appreciate," Bloch said. "Many of them come back on a daily or weekly basis, and we maintain a focus on making them feel comfortable in our locations.”
Along with feeding the souls of the customers, Bloch also works with her business to provide a community-based outlet to support others who might need assistance.
“We do a lot of fundraising to help out in any way we can,” Bloch said. “There’s a lot of people in the world that struggle financially. If there is anything we can do for the community, we’re right on top of that.”
Bloch has also been grateful for being able to grow the business with her loved ones by her side. This includes Alec Fletes, somebody who grew up coming into Bloch’s coffee house for years and absolutely loved it.
“I have family at all my locations who help out and oversee things when I’m not there,” Bloch said. “My sister is in Highland, my daughter is in Hobart, and Alec is in Crown Point and Cedar Lake. I’m very lucky to have that.”
In nearly three decades of owning a business, Bloch has learned the importance and privilege of being in that position.
“Never take it for granted,” Bloch said. “You have to keep your eye on the ball at all times. With something as important as running a business, it’s not too hard to lose it if you stop paying attention.”
A passion of this magnitude for Bloch will always garner an attentive approach. Additionally, she plans to become even more involved with building this business in the upcoming years. She’s hopeful that more locations of Sip Coffee House and Artisan Cafe can open up over that time frame as well.