Meet Your New Neighbor: Folklore Coffee Brews the Perfect CUp
Tessa Abbasi, Founder of Folklore Coffee pictured inside the shop | Photo by Molly Hebda Photography
“Lemont needs a coffee shop!” Like most Americans, we’re addicted to our daily coffee rituals. From small-batch blends to frilly pumpkin spice lattes, the need for a quaint coffee shop was so imminent that you couldn’t turn a corner in Lemont without someone shouting, “Lemont needs a coffee shop!”
When Tessa Abbasi announced the launch of Folklore Lemont on Instagram and we shared it on our IG story, our DMs were flooded with confetti and heart emojis. As we get closer to opening day, we’re so pleased to announce the story and inspiration behind Folklore Coffee and of course, introduce you to your newest neighbor!
KG: On behalf of all of our annual residents and visitors, we are so excited that you’re opening a coffee shop in Lemont! You know that Lemont has that Stars Hollow and Gilmore Girls-type vibe and we needed the coffee shop to fully take our place as the self-imposed cutest town in the Midwest. How are you feeling about your launch?
TA: It’s so exciting! The response has been incredible. My team and I are so excited to open.
KG: Tell me more. What led you to Folklore Coffee?
TA: I started drinking coffee when I was 9 years old. It was a household staple for us. My Mom had a cup going at any time of day from 5 am until 9am. While in my younger years, it was mostly warm milk and sugar, it didn’t impact me and I loved it.
I moved to New York City for college and you know, like any average NYC college student, I was broke. I got a job at a local coffee shop where I was working as a bar back and cleaning dishes but it was the first time that I really had the opportunity to learn about the different notes, the origin, and get into the nitty gritty of my favorite drink.
I ended up taking some time away from college, moved back to Illinois, and worked at a coffee shop in Edgewater for a few years. I ended up getting a full-time position in the corporate world but constantly thought about how I could make my coffee shop dreams come true. I talked about it to everyone and eventually got connected with Jason Berry at the Village of Lemont but I still had this full-time job and it’s hard to move from the insurance, the PTO, and all of the other benefits.
Finally, in April of this year, I took the leap and I’m just so excited to be on this journey now to open Folklore.
KG: Congratulations! Now, I love a good cup of coffee but I can very easily be a big brand coffee girl – just because it’s convenient. What sets your coffee shop apart?
TA: I understand that! I take coffee education very seriously and I understand how intimidating it can be walking into a specialty coffee shop if you’re used to a Dunkin or Starbucks. Your favorite thing isn’t necessarily on the menu, there aren’t big signs and ads staring you in the face, and it can be scary. The good thing is that we’re here to help you explore however you want to.
We’re right next to the Metra so you can quickly come in for our signature house blend before you hop on the train. If you’re into exploring, we’ll have a well-trained team that can talk to you about coffee origins, match with different notes, and talk to you about tasting and blending. There is no wrong/right way to drink coffee.
On top of that, Lemont is connected through community. It’s what gives us our charm. We’re going to be the coffee shop that knows your name, your kid's name, your dog’s name, etc.
The Folklore Coffe mug set against their whimsical and legendary wallpaper
KG: In a world of Starbucks, what does small-owned mean to you?
TA: When I was building my mission for Folklore, I couldn’t stop using the word community but the community really is my heart and soul. I grew up in Berwyn, IL. When we moved here about 6-7 years ago, I fell in love with everything about Lemont – the restaurants, the quarries, the fun parades, and the ways that we honor the local history. Folklore hopes to be that meeting place in the background of all your Lemont memories – the place where you meet up with friends after Hometown Holiday, the place where you grab a cup of coffee and send a few emails to break up the daily grind working from home, the warm spot where you sit with your kids for an afterschool snack.
We may not be able to beat you out on convenience or speed, but we’ll know your name and your order after a few visits.
KG: Folklore will have its own Signature Blend. Where do you even start with crafting the perfect house blend?
TA: You have to be ready to drink a lot of Black coffee! We’re roasting with Whirlwind Coffee out of Oak Park, IL which sources its beans from all over the world. We’ll have specialty drinks that change every 3-4 weeks and with the season but you can always find our Folklore House Blend, Golden Hour.
Golden hour is all about bringing the magic to you. It’s a blend of Guatemalan, Brazilian, and Mexican beans. When you’re sampling, you’re smelling the coffee, picking up notes, and making the awful gurgling noises that are similar to how you can taste wine. The entire process is very subjective. For Golden Hour, we landed on a medium roast that reminds me of a chocolate-covered acai/blueberry with jammy notes and a chocolaty finish. It’s wonderful black. If you’re a cream person, we’ll also have a dark roast that is very chocolatey and does so well with a splash of cream, almond, or oat milk.
KG: I love this idea of magic. Is that how you got your name?
TA: I’ve dreamt about this coffee shop for years but in the last 1-2 years, I really got my friends and family involved. I was at a bar with my best friend and our husbands and we were spitballing different ideas. Somehow, we got on the topic of Bigfoot and I was sharing how I love different folklore characters like that. I’m also a huge reader who loves storytelling – oral legends and oral history – and the magic of how good stories are passed down through generations. I chose Folklore because it’s the essence of communities coming together and bringing their history for good.
KG: Lemont is perfect for that as well! Part of the reason I believe in Lemonsters is because long-time Lemonters are so adamant that they’re still in our quarries or causing mischief around town.
TA: Yes, I love Archie! We plan to have some coloring pages so kids can learn about our real-life folklore.
Tess in her element behind the bar.
KG: What are your hopes and dreams for the space?
TA: I can’t wait to see the space filled with all of our different community members and to bring this to them. Folklore is our love letter to Lemont. We’ll have a workstation for folks working remotely or to grab a spot before hopping on the Metra. We’ll have our coloring pages so you can enjoy a warm cup of coffee while your kids are entertained. We’ll also be making efforts to increase sustainability by composting, reducing waste, and making sure that myself and my team are doing our part towards conservation and restoration in Lemont.
KG: That’s wonderful to hear! I can’t wait to enjoy my first cup of Folklore coffee.
TA: We can’t wait to serve you and all of our new neighbors and visitors!
Follow @folklore.lemont on Instagram for the latest news and updates on the new coffee shop.
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Editor’s Note: A previous version of this interview mentioned that Folklore Coffee was the first coffee shop in Lemont. We want to pay tribute to Higher Grounds which had a home in Lemont Downtown just four years ago and paved the way for small businesses like Folklore.
