RIVERSIDE

Hot coffee and a handmade t-shirt. Tea and a candle. A Monster Energy Drink and knick-knack.

These are just some of the pairings possible for purchase at Riverside’s Down the Street Coffee House & Boutique, a unique combination shop that quenches more than thirst.

Owner Kelsey Goff opened Down the Street Coffee House & Boutique – previously Down the Street Boutique – in February 2023, and she enters 2024 with a year of coffee house experience under her belt.

“[The first year] has been really good. It’s been a lot of fun learning new things and meeting new people,” Goff said. “I have always wanted to own a coffee shop. I like to play around and make new drinks and come up with new ideas to draw people in. It’s just really fun to watch [the products] go out the door when it’s something that I personally have made.”

Goff always wanted to open a coffee shop but did not want to “step on anyone’s toes.” Once Madeline’s Coffee House closed their Riverside location to move business to Wellman, Goff seized her opportunity and took over the storefront.

Goff’s coffee menu incorporates different styles of coffee, including lattes, frappes, cold brews, americanos, espressos and of course, black coffee. She also offers tea, lemonade, Monster Energy Drinks, and a rotating selection of baked goods.

The coffee menu offers a variety of flavors so that customers can have a new experience each time they step foot in the door.  It features interesting takes on cheesecake, chocolate chip cookie dough, banana bread caramel and white chocolate raspberry coffees, to name a few.

While Goff continues to learn the coffee business, her boutique business grows even stronger. She prides herself on the fact that everything in-stock is either handmade or from another small business.

“I’m just a small-town mama running her business. Everything in here is either handmade or done with another small business. I like to support other small businesses,” Goff said.

Goff helps a lot of local businesses through the boutique, and staying in Riverside meant Goff could continue working closely with the Highland School District.

“I [create] a lot for the schools and I have a couple of friends that own businesses. I do a lot of their stuff,” Goff said. “I’ve done a lot for some of the local softball and basketball teams, and it’s kind of fun to make it, and then I truly think it’s awesome when I go somewhere and see a bunch of people wearing something I made.”

Goff has worked in the boutique sphere for roughly five years. She has always promoted her work on Facebook as well as utilizing vendor shows.

“Honestly, [the boutique business] was a hobby that started [for me] as a stay-at-home mom for something to do while I was at home.,” Goff said. “[I like to] play around and push the limits to see what I can come up with and how it turns out.”

Goff’s favorite creation is her t-shirts. They’re quick and easy for Goff to make, and she can hold press parties for the community, where designs and blank shirts are laid out, and customers can choose their own combination for a shirt unique to them.  This is an aspect of the business Goff really enjoys.

A year two expectation is to “keep having fun with it,” Goff said.

Down the Street Coffee House & Boutique is located at 81 E. First Street, Riverside. Visit on Facebook to stay up to date on hours, in-stock baked goods, and events and specials.