CRYSTAL LAKE, Illinois (December 2, 2024)—Cathy and Tom Koch are natural hosts, as comfortable creating a meal as they are sharing it with friends and family. Cathy has always been an adventurous cook, recreating favorite restaurant dishes and always opening the house for celebrations and family dinners. And Tom is so committed to his grill that his snow shoveling routine includes clearing a path to it. It makes perfect sense that they are now the new owners of The Spice & Tea Exchange® of Crystal Lake. They will host a grand opening celebration on Friday, January 31^st, at 57 North Williams Street in Crystal Lake.

“We’re so pleased to be joining the Crystal Lake family of businesses at such an exciting time,” says Cathy Koch, co-owner of The Spice & Tea Exchange® of Crystal Lake. “The downtown area is thriving with an amazing selection of local shops and restaurants, and we can’t wait to be a part of it! Tom and I are looking forward to being active in the Crystal Lake Downtown Association and supporting great community events and festivals.”

Cathy and Tom were introduced to The Spice & Tea Exchange® on a family vacation to Punta Gorda, Florida. They wandered into the Fisherman’s Village location and left with a small fortune’s worth of spices and herbs. While browsing the company website to restock their favorites, Cathy discovered it offered franchise opportunities, and their path became clear. The shop’s new home is in a building from 1912 that the Kochs are lovingly restoring. Chat with Tom to learn how he and Cathy have preserved pieces that tie to the history of Crystal Lake. The 112-year-old structure features original terracotta tile from Illinois’ renowned Terracotta Industries and countertops made from a fallen 222-year-old oak tree from the famed Dole Mansion.

Customers will find a wealth of flavor in The Spice & Tea Exchange® of Crystal Lake. The staff hand-blends a wide range of traditional and signature blends in-store daily, including Tom’s favorite Butcher’s Rub, which he swears can make even a frozen hamburger patty become something magical. He also uses the shop’s aromatics to craft cocktails. Cathy loves the Jasmine Pearls Green Tea, which can be enjoyed hot or iced at the in-store tea bar. Customers can explore shelves of spices, herbs, aromatics, infused sugars, honey, olive oils, maple syrup, and more, experiencing the smells and tastes.

The Grand Opening is Friday, January 31^st, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event features free tea and food samples, special promotions, and multiple raffles throughout the day.