Ambassadors visit JT Toads

Photo by Randy M. Cauthron [Order this photo]

Jim and Loretta Schooley welcomed the Spencer Ambassadors to their new business, JT Toads at 521 Grand Ave. Jim said the business has a goal to provide the best coffee beans that Iowa has to offer. The business is a micro-roaster, importing beans from around the world, using all organic beans, free from flavoring or chemicals. They use the beans to roast and create blends. Beans from Africa, Central America, Brazil, Indonesia and India, as well as other locations, are among the 15 different beans being roasted at this time. Jim said the business offers beans for decaf to half-calf to "knock your socks off." Calling the location the oldest standing building in downtown Spencer, Jim is currently remodeling across the hall where he will turn it into a coffee shop, and will then return his current location to Spirit Carver Studio. That project is estimated to be complete by March 2009. In the meantime, he plans to begin serving coffee at the present location within the next month. Jim also noted that JT Toads offers custom order coffee. He said that with the three pound roaster, it takes about one hour for a full roast. The three pound size means that the product is small and fresh each time it takes place.