Emporia’s Gravel City Roasters has received a significant state-level award.
Gravel City was announced as the Business of the Year by Kansas Main Street at the economic development agency’s annual meeting Monday. Owner Joe Corn says it was a pleasant shock to win.
Besides coffee, sandwiches, treats, T-shirts and other items, Corn says the environment is a key reason behind the Gravel City success.
Corn says the award has another layer of significance for him. His father passed away 30 years ago, and he recently went to his hometown of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, to visit his dad’s grave.
Gravel City has its roots in Java Cat 5, which originally was at 610 Merchant from 2002-2011. Angie and Nic Baker bought Java Cat, moved the coffee shop to 608 Commercial and rebranded. After Gravel City moved to 715 Commercial five years ago, Joe and Clara Corn then bought the business in 2023, and Joe Corn thanked the Bakers for their work in developing the business before the sale. He also thanked Kansas Main Street for the business opportunities it provides.
Joe Corn says he wants to add a drink truck to the business. If that happens, he says he still plans to have the business emphasis on the brick-and-mortar store.
