‘A Dream Come True’

Mercedes Burkhart will tell you that her “dream come true” is a God thing. This local entrepreneur had wanted to open a coffee shop for the last four or five years, but she just didn’t feel the time was right. All that changed when she was approached by Renae Goldsoph, and asked if she would be interested in sharing space for their businesses. Goldsoph’s flower store and more is in the old Journal office.

Mercedes felt like God was laying this opportunity in her lap. After much prayer and discussion between husband and wife, it just seemed like a “no-brainer.”

She took an enjoyable hobby — baking — and has turned it into a business. Mercedes realized when Reese (her seven-year-old) was a baby, that she liked to bake. She started making things here and there for family and friends. She made cakes a few times for a business in Burlington in 2020 that they sold in their restaurant. It wasn’t a long-term arrangement, but it planted the seed of starting Mercedes’ Sweet Treats.

Her menu is enticing. The drink menu offers coffee, lattes, cold brew, smoothies, iced and hot tea, hot chocolate, monster infusions and Italian sodas. The sweets menu will change with the seasons or with the trying of new or different recipes, but will always offer cinnamon rolls, cookies, muffins, scones, and bars/brownies. She also offers an order service for birthday cakes, wedding cakes, and desserts by the dozens.

The shop has room for two tables and two “comfy” chairs. So for now she can accommodate nine seated customers. She also offers sweet treats to go, but it’s while supplies last and what is available on the counter. Large orders can be made in advance and picked up by the customer (ex. one dozen cinnamon rolls or three dozen cookies or any event order).

Hours right now are Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday 6:30-8 a.m., Friday 6:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., while Saturdays will vary. The shop is closed Sundays and Thursdays. She’s hoping to have someone trained within the next couple weeks though, so her open days will all be 6:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. eventually.

“The grand opening was amazing! So many people showed up to support us; many, many faces I knew or have known in my life,” Mercedes remarked. “To feel that support and to see it was overwhelming in the best possible way. We haven’t quite found a busy time or slow time yet, but each day we’re open there’s someone there to get something.”

When asked about hiring an employee, she answers with an emphatic “yes!” Mercedes works at Grow n Glow preschool and has been there since the fall of 2020. Teaching is something she always thought she wanted to do with her life; although the high school dream was to teach high school or college-level English. But plans changed and evolve as her family formed.

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She says, “Grow n Glow has been such a blessing, and I love working with the kids! I can’t bring myself to fully leave, so we will start with one employee to fill the hours at the coffee shop when I am at preschool. If there is room or a need for more than one, then it’ll happen when it’s meant to.”

Mercedes Burkhart is a New London girl. Formerly Mercedes Crossett, she grew up and graduated from New London High School. Minus a short few years after high school living in Ottumwa, she has always lived in New London. She is married to Noah Burkhart who is a technician at Schlueter’s Automotive in Burlington. They’ve been together since her junior year of high school. They have four amazing children who keep them very busy: Zander (11,) Reese (7,) Miles (4,) and Maisyn (2.)”

She continued, “I just want to add that although no place is perfect, I have always loved living in small town New London. Putting our family roots here was just coming home for me, and it is a blessing that I’ve been given the opportunity to give back to this amazing community that has surrounded me the majority of my life.”

With a conclusion that I share with Mercedes of “there is no place like home,” the community wishes her every success in her new endeavor. I’m pretty sure Sweet Treats will be a big hit. Facebook reviews are already in, announcing that the food and drink, especially the coffee, are delicious. She and her dream are off to a good start!