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Scooter’s Coffee opens with a shot of help from SBDC at SIUE

Scooter’s Coffee is now open on Illinois Route 159 in Glen Carbon.

The drive-through coffeehouse is open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Saturday.

The franchise was first established in Bellevue, Neb., and is now available locally thanks to Robert (Bob) Semptimphelter and his wife’s good taste. After relocating to the Edwardsville area after 13 years in Omaha, Semptimphelter and his business partner decided it was the right time to open a business.

“It was important for us to align ourselves with a company that shared our values,” Stemptimphelter said. He thought about a coffee shop his wife always had visited in Nebraska: Scooter’s Coffee.

In 2020, Semptimphelter began working on the Scooter’s Coffee business plan and connected with the Illinois Small Business Development Center for the Metro East at SIUE.  Director Jo Ann Di Maggio May provided  assistance, financing was secured and the process advanced quickly.

Di Maggio May also assisted with finding employees to staff the new coffee shop. After receiving a job description, the word was out, and thanks to Di Maggio May, that was one more task marked off his list.

Later, after finding a location for the new business, building began. Di Maggio May then reconnected with Semptimphelter to offer additional assistance from the SBDC.

While the COVID-19 pandemic caused a few delays in business development, it did not impact Semptimphelter’s dream of starting the franchise.

“This being my first business venture, the SBDC helped point me in the right direction,” he explained. “We received guidance on our business plan as well as our financial projections. When it was time for us to start hiring, Jo Ann gave us recommendations on hiring procedures, and helped us get our job postings out locally.”

Semptimphelter was glad to know the resources and support available to him to help guide them during the business startup process. “I can remember asking a specific question regarding SBA financing, and Jo Ann was extremely helpful in getting our question answered.”

“Bob was eager to listen to advice and use the resources offered,” Di Maggio May said. “His goal of opening his own coffee shop is coming true and I couldn’t be prouder. I am happy to have been able to help and look forward to assisting along the way as Scooter’s Coffee grows.”

Semptimphelter thanks local economic development official Walter D. Williams for helping connect him with Di Maggio May at the SBDC.

“Our goal is to own and operate as many Scooter’s units as we can handle,” said Semptimphelter. “We hope to provide a path for our employees to grow within our business, and create jobs for the communities in which we operate. We are excited to serve the communities that we will operate in and stick to our brand promise of Amazing People serving Amazing Drinks, Amazingly Fast.”

Visit the Scooter’s Coffee website at scooterscoffee.com and download the Scooter’s Coffee app to earn rewards.

PHOTO: Robert (Bob) Semptimphelter with Scooter’s Coffee.

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