Meet Rachel Hoppe of Koronis Living, LLC DBA Firehouse Coffee Company & Salon 227

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Hoppe.

Hi Rachel, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I had been working in a salon as a cosmetologist and massage therapist for 11 years and wanted to pursue the dream of owning my salon; my husband, Shawn, and I looked into a few places for sale within the city. None of the places were configured to be remodeled and operatable as a salon. We were then presented with the idea of putting a salon in the existing local coffee shop building. My husband and I were initially hesitant, not only because it was one new adventure of potentially owning the salon that I had 11 years of experience in owning and operating a coffee shop that I knew nothing about. We took a week to think about it and decided to move forward. We took over the coffee shop business on April 4th, 2013. Construction on designing and building a licensed salon started shortly after that. The salon opened that June. When the salon was completed and licensed, building a full kitchen to expand the coffee shop began immediately. In February of 2014, paninis and soup kitchen expansion was completed. The full-service salon offers haircuts, colors, manicures, pedicures, waxing, and massage therapy.

The coffee shop offers a large selection of specialty drinks, drip coffees, baked goods, and delicious panini and homemade soup menus. When naming the business, that part was easy. I have been a volunteer firefighter for the Paynesville Fire & Rescue Department since 2009, so the name had to reflect that. Firehouse Coffee Company & Salon 227. The 227 is the department’s call number used to call dispatch. The coffee shop and salon are open 6 days a week. I have one employee, and my children, husband, and family help a lot in the coffee shop. I am an independent stylist in the salon. I love owning a business in the town I was raised in.

We all face challenges, but would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Owning a business is sometimes tough; owning two can cause craziness, but I have learned I can handle more than I thought I could. Learning all the requirements and licensures to obtain a food and salon license was eye-opening. The road thus far has been good. I have spent so many hours working within the business and building the business up outside with the wonderful community. The roughest part must be breaking down the commercial equipment and still trying to be operational. Acquiring a technician or replacing the unit, all while still open and operating half throttle, can cause sleepless nights.

We’re big fans of Koronis Living, LLC DBA Firehouse Coffee Company & Salon 227. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
Firehouse Coffee Company is a full-service coffee shop with paninis and homemade soup; the shop has a large seating area and an outdoor patio. I am known for specialty drinks, cold brew coffee, and homemade soups. Salon 227 is a full-service salon with massage therapy. The uniqueness of a salon and coffee shop in one building sets me apart from others. I am proud that my business is continuing to grow and that I received so much from my community.

Do you have any advice for those just starting?
Advice would be that you need to be dependable and consistent. You cannot depend on someone else. It’s your business; you need to be present. I made this a priority to myself when I was starting. Before I started, I wished I had been more fluent in accounting.

Contact Info:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/firehousecoffeecosalon227

Image Credits
Amanda Severson (Building Picture Street View), Rachel Hoppe (The rest of the pictures)