Where mindful drinking meets mindful coffee

Some partnerships feel inevitable. When Jason Krapausky opened Neer Beer in downtown Wheaton, he already knew which coffee would be on the shelf. Spiritus Coffee has been part of his vision from day one.

That's not marketing speak. Jason is a longtime friend of Spiritus Coffee, going back to his days as grocery manager at Prairie Food Co-op in Lombard. He understood what we were building before most people did. When he launched his own venture, a bottle shop dedicated entirely to non-alcoholic beverages, he made us his exclusive coffee partner in Wheaton.

What Is Neer Beer

Neer Beer N/A Beverage Company is exactly what it sounds like: a bottle shop for people who don't drink alcohol, or who choose not to on a given day, or who simply want options beyond soda and water.

Located in downtown Wheaton, Neer Beer offers:

• Non-alcoholic beer from craft breweries across the country, including options on tap
• N/A wine and champagne for celebrations that don't require a hangover
• Zero-proof spirits for cocktail lovers who want the ritual without the alcohol
• Ready-to-drink mocktails chilled and ready to go
• Spiritus Coffee, the only coffee you'll find there

The selection goes far beyond what you'll find in the "N/A section" of your local grocery store. Jason curates unique offerings from across the country, bringing variety and quality to a category that's often an afterthought elsewhere.

Why This Matters

There's a growing community of people seeking alternatives to alcohol. Some are in recovery. Some are sober curious. Some just want to wake up feeling good on Saturday morning. Whatever the reason, they deserve options that feel intentional, not like consolation prizes.

That philosophy aligns with everything we believe at Spiritus Coffee. We've always understood that rituals matter, that how you start your morning shapes your day, that what you put in your body reflects what you value.

Coffee and non-alcoholic beverages share something important: they're both about presence. About choosing to be fully here, fully awake, fully engaged with the moment. That's why Spiritus Coffee belongs at Neer Beer.

Family Owned, Community Focused

Neer Beer is family owned and operated. Jason runs the shop himself, curating the selection, talking to customers, building relationships one conversation at a time.

Sound familiar? That's how we operate too.

When you walk into Neer Beer, you're not walking into a corporate chain. You're walking into someone's passion project, a business built on genuine belief that this community needs what they're offering.

Small businesses supporting small businesses. Local products for local people. The economy we want to live in, built one partnership at a time.

Find Spiritus in Wheaton

If you're in Wheaton and looking for Spiritus Coffee, Neer Beer is your destination. We're proud to be their exclusive coffee partner, the only roaster on their shelves.

Stop in, explore the N/A selection, and take home a bag of freshly roasted coffee. Or grab a chilled mocktail and a bag of beans for the week ahead.

Either way, you're supporting two small businesses that believe in building something meaningful.

Neer Beer N/A Beverage Company
Downtown Wheaton, Illinois
neerbeer.com

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Spiritus Coffee Co.
Proud exclusive coffee partner of Neer Beer.

If you call us looking to stop in to our shop, we are going to direct you to the co-op. All of our coffee blends are always in stock.  Look for Spiritus Coffee in their coffee section and at the coffee bar we built so they can brew our coffee fresh every morning. We keep them stocked with fresh coffee roasted weekly, delivered personally.

If you're already shopping at Prairie Food Co-op, add a bag of Spiritus to your cart. Local coffee, from your local co-op, supporting your local community.

What are you going to buy your goth girlfriend?? 

We are big fans of Bob James Magic & Curiosities bringing the weird and wonderful to Lombard, and we want to show them some love.

Some relationships are commercial. Others are simply supportive. Bob James Magic falls into the second category: friends, neighbors, fellow Lombard small business owners who have always supported us. We're happy to cheer each other on.

The Magic Connection

Bobby and Nikki brought something special to downtown Lombard when they moved the magic shop from Elmhurst to 19 W. St. Charles Road. Bobby runs the magic side: cards, coins, illusions, the whole craft. Nikki added what she brilliantly calls "gifts to buy your goth girlfriend": taxidermy, skulls, dark jewelry, crystals, and curiosities that make you stop and stare.

Their online brand DeviousFX has about a few billion (give or take) followers who get it.

This One's Personal

Back in Detroit, there was a coffee shop owner who did more than introduce me to good coffee. He introduced me to magic. Cards, sleight of hand, the art of wonder. We developed a friendship, and somewhere along the way I picked up a nickname: Nick "Balducci." IYKYK.

My first Svengali deck came from those conversations, and I've been fascinated by magic ever since.

Walking into Bob James Magic feels like coming home to something I didn't know I missed.

Different Products, Similar Values

Mass-produced, disposable experiences are everywhere. Magic shops and small batch roasters both push against that tide.

We both believe in craft, in presence, in the moment of surprise and delight.

Coffee done right is a small daily magic. A card trick done well stops time.

Bobby and Nikki get it. They're not selling cheap tricks; they're selling wonder, skill, and things with soul. As one reviewer put it: "It's like a museum." Bobby will happily detail any piece of his collection for you.

Community Over Commerce

Not every connection needs a transaction. Sometimes community means:

• Recommending each other to customers
• Showing up at local events
• Cheering wins and supporting through challenges
• Being part of the same fabric

Bob James Magic makes Lombard weirder in the best possible way. From Krampus photo nights to private magic shows, they bring something to downtown that nobody else can.

We're grateful they chose Lombard, and we're proud to call them neighbors.

Visit Them

If you love magic, the macabre, or just want to find something genuinely cool you won't see anywhere else, check out Bob James Magic & Curiosities at 19 W. St. Charles Road.

Bobby can blow your mind with a deck of cards. Nikki can help you find the perfect skull or some witchy jewelry.

Shop the macabre online at DeviousFX.com

Ask where to get good coffee. They might be sipping a Spiritus House Blend while they point you our way.

Spiritus Coffee Co.
Friends and neighbors in Lombard.

Understanding where we come from

Lombard has history. The Lombard Historical Society preserves it, shares it, and helps us understand the place we call home.

The Lilacia Blend is always a big seller in the Carriage House and we appreciate the support of Allison and Team. We are lucky to have such a great team preserving our history and here's why our local history matters to a coffee roaster.

Lilacia Park: Our Namesake

Our Lilacia Blend is named after Lilacia Park—Lombard's crown jewel and the reason the village is called "The Lilac Village."

The park's story:

• Colonel William Plum established the lilac gardens in the early 1900s
• He cultivated over 200 varieties of lilacs
• The park became a destination, drawing visitors from across the region
• Today it's maintained by the Lombard Park District and remains a beloved community space

The Lombard Historical Society keeps this history alive. They've documented the Plum family, the park's development, and Lombard's growth from rural village to thriving suburb.

When we named our Lilacia Blend, we were connecting to this history. The Historical Society helped us understand what we were honoring.

Why History Matters

It's easy to take a place for granted. You live there, you work there, you don't think much about how it came to be.

But history provides context. It tells us:

• Who built this place and why
• What shaped the community
• What we've inherited and what we're responsible for

Lombard's history is one of intentional community building. The lilac gardens weren't an accident, they were a vision, carefully cultivated. We know about being intentional in our own work and love seeing this in Lombard History. 

Supporting Preservation

The Historical Society runs on membership and donations. They maintain archives, host events, and keep Lombard's story accessible.

We proudly stock Spiritus Coffee because we believe their work matters. We are happy to be a part of Lombard. History disappears if no one preserves it. The people who came before us deserve to be remembered.

The Lilacia Blend

Our tribute to Lombard's heritage. A Light side of Medium roast with floral honey notes—a nod to the lilacs that define our village.

Every bag connects to Colonel Plum's vision, to the generations who've enjoyed the park, to Lombard's identity as the Lilac Village.

That's what history does: it gives meaning to the present.

Try the Lilacia Blend →

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Spiritus Coffee Co.
Rooted in Lombard's history.

Where Lombard businesses connect

The Lombard Chamber of Commerce exists to help local businesses thrive. They connect businesses to each other, advocate for the local economy, and create opportunities for growth.

Spiritus Coffee is looking forward to their future ribbon cutting but still happily supported by the team like Rick at our Chamber. It means a lot to us and here's why that matters.

What the Chamber Does

Chambers of Commerce can feel old-fashioned, but their function is timeless: bringing businesses together.

The Lombard Chamber:

• Connects businesses: Networking events, member directories, introductions
• Advocates: Represents business interests to local government
• Promotes: Markets Lombard as a place to shop and do business
• Supports: Resources, education, and community for business owners

For a small business like Spiritus, these connections matter. We've been invited to participate in the farmers market, Spooktacular, Candy Cane Lane and others. All possible because of the Lombard Chamber. 

We believe in Lombard. This is our home. The Chamber is has made us feel a part of the Village. A community with other businesses. Connected to the community beyond just running our business.

• Supporting an organization that supports local business
• Connecting with other Lombard businesses
• Being part of conversations about our community's future
• Showing up for Lombard

It's not just good for business—it's good for community.

For Other Lombard Businesses

If you run a business in Lombard, consider joining the Chamber and being a part of a Chamber event. The connections alone are worth it. And together, we're stronger advocates for the local economy we all depend on.

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Spiritus Coffee Co.
Proud Lombard Chamber member.

Your local hardware store carries local coffee

There's something right about finding locally roasted coffee at your neighborhood hardware store. Both represent a choice: local over chain, community over corporate, neighbor over stranger.

Jim, Molly, and the team at Ace Hardware Lombard called us and told us that they have an interest in Local Lombard brands and supporting small business. They were the first wholesale account to sell Spiritus Coffee. It turned out to be a great fit. And we think Ace is exactly where it belongs.

Why Hardware Stores Matter

Local hardware stores are community anchors. They're where you go when something breaks, when you're starting a project, when you need advice from someone who actually knows.

Unlike big box stores, local Ace stores are independently owned. The person behind the counter might be the owner. They know the neighborhood. They've helped your neighbors. In the case of Ace Hardware Lombard- they practice what they preach and chose local fresh roasted Spiritus Coffee. 

That's the kind of business we want to partner with.

Local Finds Local

Ace Hardware Lombard chose to carry Spiritus because they believe in supporting local. Same reason we partner with them.

When you buy Spiritus at Ace:

• You're supporting a local roaster
• You're supporting a local hardware store
• Your money circulates in Lombard
• You're part of the local economy

That's a lot of good from one bag of coffee.

Find Us There

Next time you're at Ace Hardware Lombard, grabbing supplies, getting a key made, asking a question, look for Spiritus Coffee. Fresh roasted, locally sourced, unexpectedly available at your hardware store.

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Spiritus Coffee Co.
Available at unexpected places.

Totally Rad Bike Shop

Bikes and coffee share something: they're both morning rituals. One gets you moving; the other gets you ready to move. Retro Glow Bikes understands this connection.

Brian and family at Retro Glow embody small business community spirit. Brian always has a fresh bag of Spiritus Coffee, and we're proud to partner with a shop that combines two of life's simple pleasures.

The Bike Shop Vibe

Good bike shops aren't just retail spaces—they're community hubs. People come in to browse, to get repairs, to talk about routes and gear. There's a culture around cycling that's social and enthusiastic. Brian is providing an awesome service that he loves - helping cyclists and upcycling bikes. His passion is contagious and we love businesses like Retro Glow. 

Coffee fits naturally into that culture. Fuel before a ride. Reward after. Something to sip while chatting about bike stuff.

Retro Glow Bikes gets this. They've made coffee part of the experience.

Why We Partner

Retro Glow Bikes shares values we care about:

• Local business: Serving the cycling community personally, not corporately
• Enthusiasm: Genuine love for what they do
• Community building: Creating space for cyclists to connect

When they looked for coffee to serve, they chose local. They chose Spiritus.

Overcoming Challenges

Retro Glow had a fire shortly after they started their buiness. It was a long time to rebuild and through it all - Brian was central at our farmers markets, Lombard Chamber events, planning rides for the kids in town. Brian was tenacious and has since grown the business to triple the size in short time. He did it because everyone wants to support Retro Glow,a truly selfless and helpful community partner in it for all the right reasons.

If you ride, you know: pre-ride coffee is essential. Post-ride coffee is earned.

Next time you're at Retro Glow Bikes—picking up a new bike, getting a tune-up, or just browsing—grab a cup of Spiritus. Fuel up. Then ride.

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Spiritus Coffee Co.
Fueling local cyclists.