Check out Annie's Emporium at 406 Milwaukee St., in Kewaunee. Open almost a year, Annie's Emporium is managed by Ann Kemp. She is mother to Kevin Kemp, a partner in Kewaunee Renaissance that has acquired and restored numerous properties in Kewaunee over the last few years.
Annie's opened in early July last year and immediately established a reputation as a gathering place for residents and visitors of all ages.
"Kevin bought out two little ice cream stores," said Ann Kemp. "He thought it would be fun for his mom to run an ice cream store here," she said.
Located in one of the oldest buildings in Kewaunee, it has been home to numerous retail establishments. The first floor has been completely remodeled.
The renovation was a family project. Kemp's daughter Kathy with fiance Dean Greenwood helped, along with Ann's granddaughter Alloy, Kevin's daughter from Chicago.
Kevin and his wife, Diane, both Chicago architects, love restoring old buildings. They sailed into the Kewaunee Harbor one day and fell in love with it.
Alloy and a friend painted the inside of the store in various colors chosen by her mom, Diane, including yellow gold, light blue and a baby carrot storeroom.
"We wanted it to be bright, cheerful and inviting," said Ann Kemp.
The store has an assortment of tables and chairs, a couch and booths for customer seating. It also offers wireless Internet for customers to access the Web or check their e-mail.
But Annie's Emporium's most treasured assets are its employees and its goodies. Annie's carries Wisconsin-processed products including coffee and tea that come from the Two Rivers Roasting Co. and Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream, out of Madison. She keeps 32 flavors on hand that vary with the seasons. She offers cones and dishes of all sizes; shakes, malts, floats, sundaes, and new this summer are ice cream cakes and ice cream pies.
Annie's offers an assortment of coffee drinks, hot or iced from moderate to those with that extra kick. For the tea lovers, Annie's carries six different teas, including chai tea and for an extra jolt, try a chai charger with a double shot of espresso.
Chocolate candy and bars come out of Appleton from Vande Walle's Candies. Annie's also serves light lunches.
"If we know ahead, we can serve groups," said Ann. "I had six mothers in one day with 10 little kids."
Little wooden toys on the front window sills keep the youngest customers amused.
Ann Kemp is usually working, but if not, one of her employees, several who are students at the local high school, are there to serve.
Steve Stangel, a recent Kewaunee High School graduate has been there since the beginning, along with classmate, Eric Prucha.
"When I first started, I was nervous," said Stangel. "I had always worked behind the scene. Here you talk to the customers and see their smiles. I like to make them smile."
Stangel said it is a great environment to work in and not stressful.
"Unless 20 kids come in all at the same time," he said with a grin. "Seriously, it is a lot of fun and a lot of friends hang out when we're working."
Prucha, who was recently working with Logan Kemp, another of Ann's grandchildren said he has met a lot of people through his job. Logan said not being from the area, he has met a lot of new friends at Annie's in Kewaunee.
They all enjoy experimenting making new coffee and ice cream concoctions. Many of the menu items on the chalkboard are their creations.