Tag: food and drink

Posted in Events

What’s Happening in East Central Missouri Sept. 21 – Oct. 4, 2026

Posted on by Amanda

Fall is finally here and some seasonal festivals are rolling out over the next two weeks. Take advantage of the milder temps and stroll through local communities at the art festivals happening in downtown Washington, Salem, and Rolla. Or, if you’re ready to jump into Halloween time fun, then grab your pointy hat and your witchy besties and hit up the Witches on Main celebration in downtown Washington or the Witches on Route 66 in Cuba.

Celebrate this unique season with harvest and fall festivals – head to Hermann to shop with local vendors, hear live music, and yummy food, or visit the annual Rosebud Treasure Day in Rosebud. And area churches are hosting their fall festivals, which include food, kid-friendly activities, and more.

As a reminder, always double check with event venues before heading out just in case an event gets canceled, rescheduled, or experiences weather delays.

Did I miss an event? Tag me on Facebook or Instagram and I can share the event in my stories.

Franklin & Gasconade Counties (plus neighboring communities)

Thursday, Sept. 24
Sunset on the Riverfront is happening at Rennick Riverfront Park in Washington from 5-8 p.m.
Find the food and entertainment details.

Thursday, Sept. 24
The Book Booth in WashMo is hosting a Book vs. the Movie event from 6-7 p.m. Attendees will discuss the details of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
Learn more.

Friday, Sept. 25 – Sunday, Sept. 27
The 26th Annual Fall Festival of the Arts & Crafts is happening in downtown Washington. Find soaps, jewelry, original artwork, clothing, handmade wood furniture, home décor, leather, seasonal items, and more! There will be live music and a food court full of delicious treats all weekend long.
Free admission.

Friday, Sept. 25 & Saturday, Sept. 26
The K of C Hall in St. Clair is holding an indoor fall rummage sale. The sale is from 4-7 p.m. on Friday and from 8-11 a.m. on Saturday.
Learn more.

Friday, Sept. 25 – Sunday, Sept. 27
The Emmaus Village Harvest Moon Festival in Marthasville will feature a farm-to-table kitchen, vendors, workshops, and live music. Experience two nights of camping, big fires, get-downs, and community.
Purchase tickets.

Saturday, Sept. 26
Community Church in Union is having a Fall Festival. This free event will include kid-friendly activities like face-painting, a bounce house, and snow cones available from Dana’s Shave Ice’s truck.
Learn more.

Saturday, Sept. 26
Spooky season gets an early start in Marthasville with the Emmaus Asylum overnight ghost hunt.
Get tickets and find out more.

Saturday, Sept. 26
The Hermann Harvest Festival is happening from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. You’ll find over 80 booths, plus a kid zone, along with food and drink vendors.
Learn more.

Saturday, Sept. 26
The Venue at Hermann event space is hosting an Open House from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Follow on Facebook for more details.

Saturday, Sept. 26
Project Linus of East Central MO has a monthly blanket making day, held on the fourth Saturday of every month at the Scenic Regional Library Union Branch from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Registration requested to attend.

Sunday, Sept. 27
Hellings Farm Auction is happening in Leslie. There will be farm machinery, tools, lawn and garden items, and more.
Get all the info.

Sunday, Sept. 27
The Immaculate Conception Fall Festival is happening in Union, beginning at 11 a.m. Enjoy live music, a delicious fried chicken dinner, kid-friendly activities, basketball, auctions, raffle drawings, a country store, bake sale, kettle corn, funnel cakes, and more!
Learn more.

Wednesday, Sept. 30
Washington Parks & Recreation Charitable Foundation is presenting a Friends of Aaron free concert. The event is at the Main Stage lawn at the Washington Fairgrounds and happens from 6-8 p.m.
Get more info.

Thursday, Oct. 1
Music on Main returns to Hansen Park in downtown Union.
More details.

Thursday, Oct. 1
Witches on Main Street is an unforgettable night in WashMo from 5:30-9 p.m. Shop from unique vendors, hear live music, find drinks and food to purchase, and dress in your witchy attire to enter a chance to win a prize in the costume contest.
Find tickets and more info.

Friday, Oct. 2 & Saturday. Oct. 3
Rewild & Restore Retreat is an immersive weekend in nature at Lost Hill Lake in St. Clair. This in-person event will focus on the power of breathwork, cold and heat exposure therapy, nervous system regulation, CO2 tolerance training, and the importance of exposure to nature.
Get tickets.

Saturday, Oct. 3
The annual Fall Treasure Day in Rosebud happens on the first Saturday in October. Find antiques, unique vendors, fall decor, clothing, and more at this event.
Learn more.

Saturday, Oct. 3
The Shivering Shack in Sullivan is hosting a Girls Night Out event called Pumpkins, Petals, and Popcorn from 6-8 p.m. Cost is $35 to attend and includes your own mini pumpkin charcuterie snack, a specialty drink, a pumpkin centerpiece to take home, a BYO popcorn bar, and a craft with all supplies included.
Find out more.

Saturday, Oct. 3
Owensville Parks and Rec Dept. is hosting a Market in the Park event from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Learn more.

Crawford & Dent Counties

Thursday, Sept. 24
The Salem Chamber of Commerce is hosting its final Music on 4th St. event of the season. Expect vendors, food, live music, and more.
Get more info.

Friday, Sept. 25
The 2026 Battle of the Bulls event is happening in Belle at 8 p.m. This event brings bull riders to the arena to “buck for a purpose” and help raise money for people undergoing cancer or other medical treatments. Cost to attend is $10 for those 12 and up, kids ages 5-11 are $5, and kids underage 5 are free.
Get more details.

Saturday, Sept. 26
Salem Area Arts Council and the Salem Area Betterment Association is hosting an Art Walk in downtown Salem from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. View art demonstrations, try your hand at making free crafts, shop with area businesses, and find food available for purchase.
Find out more.

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Friday, Oct. 2
Lucky Clover Campground in Steelville is hosting its Halloween Bash early. Join in for site decorating, trick-or-treating, and spooky surprises.
Reserve your spot.

Saturday, Oct. 3
Onondaga Cave State Park is hosting another Starry Sky Night event. Attendees of this free event can view stars in the visitor center’s parking lot.
Learn more.

Saturday, Oct. 3
Witches Night on Route 66 in Cuba is happening from 3-10 p.m. There will be vendors, crafts, food trucks, wine and beer for purchase with ID, free music and so much more. Dress up in your best good or bad witch costume, since there will be costume prizes.
Get more details.

Phelps County

Saturday, Sept. 26
Maramec Spring Park is hosting its monthly Volunteer Work Days from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. All ages and skill levels are welcome to this free event that helps keep the park beautiful and thriving for visitors.
Get more details.

Saturday, Sept. 26
The Celebration of Nations Festival and Parade is kicking off in downtown Rolla at 11 a.m. This community-wide event features international cuisine, live entertainment, cultural exhibits, unique vendors and family-friendly activities that showcase the diversity and global connections that enrich the region.
Find out more.

Friday, Oct. 2
Movie Night in The Gardens at St. James Winery concludes this season with a showing of the 80s film “The Goonies.” Enjoy themed food and drinks available for purchase and watch the movie outside under the stars.
Film time and other info.

Saturday, Oct. 3
The 47th Annual Rolla Arts & Crafts Festival is happening in downtown Rolla. This year’s event will be the largest yet, with over 80 vendors expected. Shop handcrafted items, baked goods, pet accessories, and more, plus find food and drinks available for purchase.
Learn more.

Sunday, Oct. 4
The monthly Rolla Writers Club is meeting at the Rolla Public Library from 2-4 p.m. This meeting serves as a chance to share your writing wins, and discuss aspects of the publishing journey.
Find out more.

Have a public event coming up? Submit your event details like time, location, and cost to attend. Be sure to include your website and social media details so I can help spread the word about your event!

Posted in Events

What’s Happening in East Central Missouri Sept. 7 – Sept. 20, 2026

Posted on by Amanda

Fall festival season has arrived! Over the next two weeks, there are numerous music festivals, food and drink festivals, harvest and seasonal festivals, as well as rodeos, car shows, markets, live music events, and much more. Take a look at all the events happening in the area, and check out the new event format. Everything is now grouped by geographic location and in chronological order in each section, hopefully making it easier to scan each event roundup post to find events in whatever area you’re looking for!

As a reminder, always double check with event venues before heading out just in case an event gets canceled, rescheduled, or experiences weather delays.

Did I miss an event? Tag me on Facebook or Instagram and I can share the event in my stories.

Franklin & Gasconade Counties (plus neighboring communities)

All of Sept.
Missouri Main Street is a month-long exhibit at Scenic Regional Library’s St. Clair Branch celebrating 100 years of Route 66 in the Show Me State.
Learn more.

Tuesday, Sept. 8
Each month, the Washington Public Library hosts Crafting & Creativity, a free event where attendees make a craft from 6-7 p.m.
Find out more.

Tuesday, Sept. 8 – Saturday, Sept. 26
The Franklin County Humane Society is hosting an online auction and 50/50 raffle called Wine, Whiskers, and Wags. You can browse 300+ auction items online and enter to win the 50/50 jackpot.
Get more info on Facebook.

Thursday, Sept. 10
The Washington Farmers Market is the site of the monthly Music at the Market event. Head to the market space and hear live music from The Graybeards. The concert is free, but food is available for purchase from Mangia Bella. Additionally, wine is available for purchase from Noboleis Vineyards, with Re/Max Results, Janie Schriewer & Associates bartending for the evening.
Get more details.

Thursday, Sept. 10
Join Dark Ozarks Podcast Producers Alex Martin & Lisa Livingston Martin at the Scenic Regional Library St. Clair Branch for a discussion of the noir mysteries, and legends of Missouri’s Route 66, including discussion of Lisa’s book “Missouri’s Wicked Route 66: Gangsters & Outlaws on the Mother Road.”
Learn more.

Friday, Sept. 11
Sunset on the Rails free concert series continues in Pacific with a live musical performance by Kaleidoscope from 6-9 p.m.
Find out more.

Friday, Sept. 11
The Washington Public Library is hosting author Larry Wood, author of “Gangster Queen Bonnie Parker and Other Murderous Women of Missouri.” Bonnie Parker has been romanticized in print and on screen since the early 1930s, when she and gangster boyfriend Clyde Barrow robbed banks and left bodies in their wake. She’s undoubtedly the most infamous murderous woman in Missouri history—although it’s uncertain whether she killed anyone with her own hand—but she’s in a crowded field of Show Me State female killers. 
Get more details.

Friday, Sept. 11 & Saturday, Sept. 12
The 10th Annual WingFest is happening at the Union Fair Grounds. This free family event will feature some of the best wing vendors, and other food and drinks, plus live music, a special 9/11 Ceremony with the American Legion Honor Guard and first responders before the festivities kickoff. There will also be bounce houses for kids and a fireworks display at the end of the festival on Saturday night.
Find the live music lineup.

Saturday, Sept. 12
Frisco Farmhouse’s only September market is happening the Saturday after Labor Day from 8 a.m. – 2 pm.. Shop from a variety of vendors, including fresh meat, produce, baked goods, handmade items, and more.
Learn more.

Saturday, Sept. 12
Head to Villa Ridge for the Boles Fire Protection District Health & Safety Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Station #3. This free family event is packed with activities designed to educate, entertain, and help keep our community safe. Whether you’re meeting your local firefighters, learning valuable safety skills, or just looking for a fun family outing, there’s something for everyone.
Get more info.

Saturday, Sept. 12
The 7th Annual September Bourbon Bash kicks off at 10 a.m. at Copper Mule Distillery in Hermann. Enjoy live bluegrass music, food from Don’s Pit Boss BBQ, awesome cocktails, and barrel tastings.
Find out more.

Saturday, Sept. 12
Head to Crooked Creek Farm in Pacific for Animalpalooza, from 8:30 a.m. until noon. Kids can meet miniature goats, a miniature cow, and enjoy outdoor fun like yard games.
Get more info.

Saturday, Sept. 12
Copper June’s in Rosebud hosting Boots & Bourbon Bash 2.0 from 1-6 p.m. Enjoy live music, whiskey tastings, food, contests, and more.
Learn more.

Saturday, Sept. 12
The 20th Annual Washington Jaycees’ Brewfest is happening from 4-8 p.m. at the Washington Farmers Market. Tickets are $30 in advance, and $35 the day of the event. The 20th Annual Brewfest ticket includes access to 20+ breweries and homebrewers + distilleries, along with a commemorative pint glass, and a brewfest T-shirt. There will also be live music and food available for purchase from Ernesto’s Mexican Restaurant.
Purchase tickets and find out more.

Saturday, Sept. 12
St. Gerald Catholic Church in Gerald is hosting a Fall Festival Church Picnic from 2-10 p.m. There will be food, drinks, games, activities, live music, and more.
Get more details.

Saturday, Sept. 12
Johnny’s Restaurant in Union is hosting a weekly market for the remainder of the season. Shop from local vendors offering items like soaps, baked goods, crafts, and more. The market is from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Find out more.

Saturday, Sept. 12
East Central College continues its monthly stargazing event, happening at the lower parking lot at the college’s Union campus. Bring your own stargazing equipment and chairs and enjoy checking out the details of the night sky.
Get more info.

Saturday, Sept. 12
The Franklin County Humane Society is having a vaccine clinic from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Union Fire Station #1.
Prices and vaccine details listed on the event flyer.

Sunday, Sept. 13
Spiral of Life Homestead & Wellness will have yoga classes in Gerald City Park from 9-10 a.m. Whether you are a beginner, or have done yoga before, all levels are welcome. Cost is $15 per person and attendees should bring a yoga mat and water, and wear something comfy. Registration is required.
Learn how to register.

Sunday, Sept. 13
The Amazing Race WashMo is returning to The Alley. The excitement begins at 1 p.m. and attendees will race to local businesses to complete challenges and receive clues. Space is limited to 25 teams of two, and cost per team to participate is $40.
Get registered.

Sunday, Sept. 13
Saint Francis Borgia Parish’s annual fall festival is happening from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. The event is open to the public and will feature live music, children’s games, bingo, and roast beef and fried chicken dinners.
Find out more.

Wednesday, Sept. 16 & Thursday, Sept. 17
Head to the Red Cedar Inn & Tourism in Pacific for a two-day exhibit of the Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit.
Get more info.

Friday, Sept. 18
The final Lawn Chair Movie Night of the season is happening from 8-10 p.m. at the large pavilion at Union City Park. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and catch the family-friendly movie “Zootopia 2.”
Learn more.

Friday, Sept. 18
The monthly Tailgate Sale is back at The Roundup Event Space in St. Clair from 5-8 p.m. Shop from a variety of area vendors including the local 4H Club, a plant vendor, baked goods, and lots more.
Get more info.

Friday, Sept. 18 – Sunday, Sept. 20
Brookdale Farms in Eureka is going off-road for a special weekend of the Fall Festival featuring Jeeps, live entertainment, local vendors, and plenty of fall fun for the whole family like a corn maze, wagon rides, live music, face painting, and more.
Get tickets and learn more.

Friday, Sept. 18 & Saturday, Sept. 19
The Pacific Iron Horse Rodeo is happening for two days at Liberty Field in Pacific.
Check Facebook more info to be released soon.

Saturday, Sept. 19
The St. Andrews Place Subdivision in Union is having its Fall Yard Sale, beginning at 7 a.m.
Find out more.

Saturday, Sept. 19
The 7th Annual Barely Covered Music Festival is happening at White Mule Winery in Rosebud. Hear live music from numerous bands beginning at 12 p.m.
Learn more.

Saturday, Sept. 19
After helping spread the word about hundreds of local events, I’m hosting one of my own! Join me at Sugar & Spice Book Cafe in Sullivan for Coffee with The Socialite, and together we will support a small local business and build community by meeting new people! The event is from 12-1:30 p.m. stay for the whole event, or visit for a little while.
RSVP on Facebook.

Saturday, Sept. 19
For nearly a decade Oxfest Music Festival has helped raise money for charities that support children, and it’s back this year at the Washington Fair Grounds. This all day annual music festival features three stages – a main stage playing rock, as well as blues and country stages. The first band takes the stage at noon and the music will continue until 10 p.m. There will also be food trucks and drinks available for purchase at the festival. Tickets are $33.85 a person, available for purchase online.
Get more info and buy tickets.

Saturday, Sept. 19
Johnny’s Restaurant in Union is hosting a weekly market for the remainder of the season. Shop from local vendors offering items like soaps, baked goods, crafts, and more. The market is from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Find out more.

Sunday, Sept. 20
Bring your fiancé, your parents, and your wedding party to the annual Fall Open House at Lost Hill Lake Events in St. Clair. The event is happening from 12 – 2 p.m. and will allow attendees a chance to view the venue, including our forest ceremony, and reception site set-up, as well as an opportunity to meet with Lost Hill Lake Events Wedding Coordinators, plus preferred vendors, and in-house vendors.
The event is free, but RSVP to attend.

Sunday, Sept. 20
Kaleidoscope Consignment in Pacific is hosting a Planty People Sale. Shop plants, cuttings, propagations, and more.
Get more info.

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Crawford & Dent Counties

Tuesday, Sept. 8 – Sunday, Sept. 13
The Steelville Harvest Festival 2026 is happening and will include a parade on Saturday, and much more.
Get all the details.

Thursday, Sept. 10
Healthy Dent County is proud to celebrate with a Girls’ Night Out event held from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Salem Community Center at the Armory in Salem. Attendees can look forward to a fun-filled experience featuring unique vendors, prize giveaways, free samples, door prizes, delicious food tastings, and plenty of other exciting surprises.
Bring your girlfriends for an evening of pampering, shopping and eating. There is a $5.00 admission fee and admission are limited to all women and girls 12 years of age and older.
Get more info.

Saturday, Sept. 12
The 17th Annual St. Louis Garlic Festival is happening at Gateway Garlic Farms in Bourbon. The event is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will feature food, vendors, live music, and more.
Find out more.

Saturday, Sept. 12
Heartland Farms in Bourbon is hosting its 1st Annual Fall Kickoff and Vendor Show. The event will have a variety of vendors, live music, the debut of the farm’s Route 66/America’s 250 Anniversary corn maze and 20+ play activities. Food and drink will be available for purchase. Attendees may buy a ticket just to shop and listen to the music for $5 or spend $10 and have access to the play area and corn maze as well.
Learn more.

Saturday, Sept. 12
Onondaga Cave State Park in Leasburg is hosting a series of night sky viewing events with astronomy enthusiast Joe Parish in the visitor center parking lot. These events are free and open to the public, and there is no need to register. Although a telescope will be provided, visitors are welcome to bring viewing devices of their own.
Find times and more info.

Sunday, Sept. 13
Get a different view of Onondaga Cave State Park in Leasburg with a photography tour held from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Tickets are required to attend the tour.
Learn more.

Friday, Sept. 18 & Saturday, Sept. 19
Blue Springs Ranch in Bourbon is hosting a two-day rodeo event that will include broncing, bull riding, barrel racing, roping, and steer wrestling.
Get more info.

Friday, Sept. 18
The Bourbon Fall Festival will include a parade at 6 p.m., along with vendors, live music, food and drink, plus more.
Get more info.

Saturday, Sept. 19
Half-Crocked Antiques in Bourbon is hosting its Fall Outdoor Flea Market from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Find out more.

Saturday, Sept. 19
The 9th Annual Bourbon Car Show is happening from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. There will be classic cars, food, craft vendors, and more.
Get more details.

Phelps County

Friday, Sept. 11
In Another Light black light art show is happening from 6-8 p.m. at Space on Pine in Rolla.
Learn more.

Saturday, Sept. 12
The 2026 Fall Nature Festival is happening at the Ozark Rivers Audubon Trails and Nature Center in Rolla from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is a free event for the community that includes, guided hikes, 20+ exhibitors, hummingbird banding demonstrations, food trucks, and native plant vendors. Parking is available at the commuter lot located at exit 185 from I-44. Shuttle buses will run continuously from parking to the festival.
Find out more.

Saturday, Sept. 12
Downtown Rolla is having a car cruise-in right along Old Route 66 from 5-8 p.m.. Find bites from food trucks or visit downtown restaurants.
Get more info.

Saturday, Sept. 19
The Rolla Saddle Club is hosting a fun show beginning at 2 p.m.
Learn more on Facebook.

Saturday, Sept. 19
Maramec Springs Park in St. James is hosting Music on the Maramec live music event with The Waydown Wanderers from 6-8 p.m. Cost to attend is $25 per car or free with a season pass to the park.
Get more details.

Warren County (and neighboring communities)

Thursday, Sept. 10
Tour the Historic Daniel Boone Home in Defiance free of charge. All ages are welcome and admission is first-come, first-served. Tours are open-house format, allowing guests to explore all levels of the house and speak with docents about the Boone family and the history of the Femme Osage Valley.
Get more info.

Saturday, Sept. 12
Centennial Farms in Augusta is having Fall Farm Days from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. This first vendor event of the season will feature items like snacks, lotions, waxes, clothing, and more.
Learn more.

Sunday, Sept. 13
Weldon Spring Conservation Area will be the place to stretch your legs and push yourself with the MammothMarch, a 20 mile hike along a great mixture of diverse trails, such as Katy Trail and Lewis & Clark Trail featuring superb overlooks of the Missouri River. The single-circuit hiking loop starts and finishes at the beautiful Defiance Ridge Vineyard in Defiance and begins at 7:15 a.m.
Get tickets and learn more.

Saturday, Sept. 19
The 2026 Warrenton Fall Festival will feature a full day of live music, food, vendors, and fun family-friendly fall activities.
Find out more.


Have a public event coming up? Submit your event details like time, location, and cost to attend. Be sure to include your website and social media details so I can help spread the word about your event!

Posted in News and Features

Get Your Coffee and Book Fix at Sugar & Spice Book Cafe in Sullivan

Posted on by Amanda

There’s a new place to get your coffee, baked goods, and cozy book store fix, and it’s all under one roof, at Sugar & Spice Book Cafe in Sullivan at 111 N. Clark St. Located in the former home of Clark Street Cafe & Bakery, the establishment is owned and operated by Jessica O’Dell.

Inside the decor has been completely reimagined, with hints of dark academia aesthetic found throughout. Jessica, who shares that she and her team did most of the work themselves, has incorporated dark hues on the walls, gold accents like a massive gold framed mirror in the cafe’s main dining area and gold framed book quotes, along with leather seating areas, warm lighting, and fireplace features.

A portion of the bookshelves at Sugar & Spice Book Cafe in Sullivan. Photo credit: Amanda Bretz_The Socialite.

Besides the unique, cozy decor greeting customers, the pastry case is filled with made in house goodies that practically beckon upon arrival. Some of the selections and flavors rotate, but typically include items like cookies, cupcakes, cinnamon rolls, pies, cakes, and more. Opening a coffee shop and book store was always something Jessica thought about doing at some point, but when the former cafe announced its closure earlier this year, she saw the opportunity to make her “some day” dream happen.

“I had only really planned to do a book store and coffee shop, but when this building came up I knew I would add food.”

There are multiple spots in the cafe to cozy up with a book and a drink. Photo credit: Amanda Bretz_The Socialite.

The food menu features breakfast and lunch offerings like biscuits and gravy, egg bites, salads, wraps, and sandwiches. And, since the business has recently been granted its alcohol license, there’s plans to launch cocktails, mocktails, beer, and wine, along with with some flatbreads and charcuterie boards, hopefully by the early fall.

Once everything is in place, the goal is to stay open later on Friday nights and offer the drinks and additional menu items as a way to be a new date night or girls night out spot. 

The pastry case is filled with all kinds of tempting goodies, but I have a weakness for gooey cinnamon rolls and pumpkin-flavored items – and this treat checked both boxes, so obviously I couldn’t order something else! Photo credit: Amanda Bretz_The Socialite.

“We’re planning on doing tropes or book boyfriend names for the drinks,” she shares about the cocktail menu.

Prior to opening her own business, Jessica worked as a manager at a bridal shop, as well as working in restaurants and coffee shops, and she said that the managerial experience has really helped her now on the entrepreneurial journey.

The drink menu

“I knew I wanted to make all the syrups for the coffees, and we’ve been having a lot of fun making the fall flavors and coming up with fun names,” she shares. 

The fall drinks will also be made with homemade syrups, and when the cocktails roll out, those will also be made with in-house, real ingredients not mass produced bottled mixes.

My first visit to the cafe was on a rainy morning, making it the perfect time to order a hot chocolate. Photo credit: Amanda Bretz_The Socialite.

Currently, the coffee selection ranges from drip to lattes available hot or iced, and protein coffee, made hot or iced with the inclusion of various protein powders to help you reach your daily protein goals. There’s also matcha, lemonade, hot chocolate, and a variety of teas, as well as a number of Lotus energy drinks. And, if you want to take a drink with you for later or bring one to your bestie, you can get any iced drink canned for a small additional fee. 

The bookstore

Jessica says that the community has shown a lot of excitement about the book selections and they’re in the process of making room for more bookshelves to increase the inventory. Currently, there’s multiple genres available, from thrillers and young adult novels, to a book shelf lined with books written by local authors to a wide selection of romance, including romantasy titles, which is Jessica’s favorite book genre.

Since the books and book shelves were a pretty significant initial investment, Jessica took to Facebook and presented local businesses with the unique opportunity of sponsoring a book shelf. Local businesses took advantage of the opportunity and each book shelf in the main book store area of the establishment features a gold plaque which names the business sponsor. 

In addition to bringing in local businesses for sponsorships and hopefully becoming a Friday evening spot for dates and friends to gather, there’s one other way Sugar & Spice Book Cafe is building community, and that’s through an in-person book club.

“We also have a book club that meets once a month and we just have snacks and talk about the book,” Jessica explains.

Spots are limited for the Sugar & Spice Book Club, which currently reads romantasy or romance titles, but the book club is also expanding to include thriller titles as well. Visit the website to sign up for the book club. 

Find out more about the cafe by following it on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, or visit its website.

I love the cafe so much that I chose it as the site for the first ever Coffee with The Socialite event, happening on Saturday, Sept. 19 from 12-1:30 p.m. I hope to see you there!

Posted in Events

Get Social and Caffeinated with Me – Come to My Event Coffee with The Socialite on Sept. 19!

Posted on by Amanda

After promoting local events for the last 18 months or so, I’m excited to start an event series of my own! Coffee with The Socialite, will be monthly-ish events aimed at building community while supporting local businesses. The first event is all set and it will be held at Sugar & Spice Book Cafe, which is a new coffee shop, cafe, and book store (!!!) that’s in the former home of Clark Street Cafe in downtown Sullivan. 

The event will be on Saturday, Sept. 19 from 12 – 1:30 p.m. You’re invited to come and stay for the whole thing, or just drop in any time during the 90 minutes and say hello. 

The ‘Why’ behind Coffee with The Socialite

I’ve seen so many people posting on local social networks that they want to make friends, but don’t know where to find their people. I hear you, and guess what? I want to make friends, too! Although the events are called Coffee with The Socialite, they’re not really about me, they’re about building community! I created Small Town Socialite to tell the stories of the people and businesses in the small towns in East Central MO, and as much as I love being able to share information with people online, it’s time to take a break from the screens and meet people. 

The first goal of Coffee with The Socialite is to create community, especially for those who are a little more introverted. If that’s you and you’re worried about how you’ll talk to a group of new people,  just show up and if you’re not good at making conversation, no worries, I can yap with the best of ’em and have no problem facilitating the convos. 

The second goal is to support local businesses. I’m hosting these events at local coffee shops, cafes, and maybe down the road I’ll look at places to get a cocktail or mocktail for some meet-ups. 

And, my third goal is that community means UNITY. I believe hard times shouldn’t keep someone from being able to attend my event. I know what it’s like to have a budget with no room for extras, even a cup of coffee, so I’m setting aside $50 for each event that will be on a first come, first serve basis. If you’re unable to make room in the budget but want to attend the event, you can have a coffee on me!

I hope you can join me at one of the Coffee with The Socialite events. If you can’t make the first one on Saturday, Sept. 19, please follow Small Town Socialite on Facebook and keep an eye out for future event announcements.