Canadian Blend

Bob Pest

Life in the Ozarks has long been enriched by settlers, people who “settled” here by choice, with all that the word implies.  These settlers bring traditions, imagination, energy, and a sense of the possible. They also bring the fresh eyes that enable them to appreciate what natives so often take for granted, and in doing so to reinvigorate a community’s own sense of itself. Dani Kvern and Wes Obrigewitsch, founders and operators of Batesville’s MorningSide Coffee House, are the kind of settlers every community welcomes because of their ability to embrace what their fresh eyes see.  In just over two years, the couple has managed to turn their coffee house/café/bakery brainchild into a gathering spot where teens and retirees feel equally at home, and where chance and arranged meetings bring a community closer together.  In the words of morning regular Susan Beshears, Division Chair for Arts and Humanities at the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville (UACCB), “MorningSide Coffee House is a wonderful place for friends to meet to just relax and enjoy each other's company.”

Batesville needed just such a place, but it took these two Canadians to fill the bill. Dani and Wes chose to remain in Batesville when the IUSI plant (International Utility Structures, Inc.), where Dani worked, relocated to Kansas in 2003.  The Canadian company had moved its North American production facility to Batesville just a few years earlier. The couple had moved three times with the company and was reluctant to uproot their young family again, including daughter Arden and son Teva at the time.  Both also saw an opportunity others had overlooked.

MorningSide Coffee House opened on April 10, 2004. Situated at the town’s busiest corner (Harrison Street and Batesville Boulevard), it immediately captured popular attention. The comfortable minimalism of the interior, both functional and inviting, offered an out of the ordinary respite from daily routine.  A strong commitment to branding—the split face sun-moon logo is on everything from the floor mats and soap dispensers—helped MorningSide off to a strong start. Comfortable couches and coffee tables invited longer stays, and a following of regulars developed early.  Lyon College president Wallie Roettger and son Dan can be seen many mornings engaged in a quick game of chess; a local investment advisor has hosted regular open discussions where she buys the coffee; book and discussion clubs hold regular meetings, and local radio host Lisa Smith shares her favorite morning “wake me up” selection with listeners.  “See you at MorningSide” has truly become part of Batesville culture.   

The name and generous spirit of MorningSide owe a debt to the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Company), which for years featured a morning radio show of the same name, hosted by avuncular figure Peter Gzowski. The host was famed for his compelling radio interviews, the kind that made people pull their cars to the side of the road so they could listen more intently--and safely.  Both Dani and Wes respected Gzowski, who died in 2002, and both share his engaging conversational style and personal warmth. 

MorningSide’s coffee drinks are flawless; the staff is well trained, knows the difference between a breve and a latte, and learns what regulars drink quickly.  Chai-based drinks are also available, along with a wide variety of teas, fruit juices, and hot chocolate.  All of the cookies, scones, and other goodies are baked on site—adding scented warmth to the already rich coffee aromas.  Most of the items are baked daily and when they’re gone, they’re gone.  The cookie-like scones, enormous by any standard, are available in both mixed berry and chocolate chip versions.  A rotating variety of cookies includes an M&M-laden treat, an aptly-named Monster Cookie, and the unique Farmer’s Cookie, from a recipe acquired at a farmer’s market in Western Canada, featuring the super-healthy flax seed.

The always-fresh biscotti release the rich flavor missing in the “store bought” version. Almond Coffee Cake, date bars, various fruit and nut breads—including the an impressive Cheddar Apple Bread, an addictive bran-berry muffin, and an assortment of cheese cakes round out the regular bakery line-up.  New items pop up regularly and the staff is both knowledgeable and helpful, so it’s always a good idea to ask what just came out of the oven.

MorningSide also offers gourmet sandwiches for lunch: ham and cheese, turkey, veggie, corned beef, tuna.  Each is served on its own distinctive bread or roll-- turkey on sourdough, corned beef on rye.  Each also bears a clever name--ham & cheese is the Soo Moo, tuna is the Sea Dog.  The Veg Head is an especially creative mix of sprouts, avocado, hummus, tomatoes, red pepper, leaf lettuce, and pepper jack cheese, served on a 6-Grain hoagie roll.

The most recent addition is the soup of the day, served with a toasted baguette. Recent selections have included Baja Chicken, Tomato Florentine, Cream of Broccoli, Cream of Mushroom with Roasted Garlic, and Corn Chowder Poblano. Dani promises some more "decadent" varieties in the weeks ahead.

The popularity of MorningSide’s food has led to a flourishing catering business.  Everything is baked to order, using only fresh ingredients.  Dani and crew have catered events from 10 to 100.  They fed the Glenn Miller Orchestra at both of the orchestra’s Batesville appearances (in 2006 and 2005) and were complimented from the stage both times.  Dani also undertook to learn several Brazilian desserts for a reception for jazz band, Mosaic, and was praised by a Brazilian who happened to be in attendance.  One day’s is required for regular bakery orders, longer for special orders, large functions, and holiday orders.

Dani and Wes also set a high standard of community participation for other small business owners.  They have provided baked goods for a number of local fund-raisers; donated lunches for faculty members during the annual T Tauri Film Festival workshops for young filmmakers, and serve as “the” spot for posting news of local benefits and cultural events.

MorningSide is open weekdays from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm, Saturdays from 8:00 am to 2 pm, and Sundays (drive through only) from 8:00 am to noon. In 2005 a small MorningSide satellite operation opened on the campus of UACCB, offering the same range of coffee drinks and a smaller selection of cookies and scones.  It is located at open from 7:30 to 3:30 when school is in session.

MorningSide has a small stage and can comfortably seat 50; it has hosted musical performances, theater slams, lectures, teas, and filmmaker receptions.  On March 23, the coffee house will host a performance by the Doug Talley Quartet of Kansas City called “How To Listen to Jazz,” as part of the 2007 Ozark Foothills FilmFest.  The Talley group will be in town to perform their original score accompanying a screening of the Alfred Hitchcock silent classic, The Lodger. 

MorningSide Coffee House has made mornings in Batesville a little more interesting.  The owners saw a niche and filled it; the community recognized what it had from the beginning, tried it out, and kept coming back.  If you love coffee, it’s well worth a drive.  Just plan to take some scones, cookies, and biscotti home with you.

Bob Pest drinks iced soy lattes year-round and teaches film courses at the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville.