Stacy Georgevitch whips up a drink with the assistance of owner Michelle McNeill at Latte Da on Thursday. The coffee shop, which is located at 2000 Richardson Road, is celebrating its one year anniversary. (Andrew Jansen photo/Suburban Journals)

There's so much more to Latte Da than just a good cup of "joe."

And owner Michelle McNeill says, thanks to loyal patrons as well as her newest customers, her coffeehouse at 2000 Richard Road just celebrated its one-year anniversary.

"We've done fairly good for our first year," she said.

That success is due in part to a fine array of hot and cold drinks, delicious foods and a pleasing atmosphere.

"We are a coffeehouse," said McNeill. "We have all the special base drinks: lattes, frappes, cappuccino, chai teas and gourmet cocoas." McNeill said there are also a variety of sandwiches and baked goods for customers to enjoy. Most of the bakery items are baked on-site.

"Everything is baked here except for our biscotti and our gourmet cheesecake desserts. We do a homemade bread pudding here that everybody loves. And we have muffins and cookies and we have scones and bagels. We have an excellent chicken salad sandwich. We also have a turkey and cheese, ham and cheese and clubs made with croissants or wheatberry bread," explained McNeill.

But tasty foods and yummy drinks are only half of the story. "Atmosphere," said McNeill, is what makes Latte Da different and motivates customers to return.

"I have a lot of people that come in here and feel like they're in the West End, or something like that," she said. "We have a big stone bar and stone columns, comfy couches, coffee table, pub and bistro tables."

There's no "rush through the drive-through" feeling at Latte Da. Customers are invited to saunter through one of the books or magazines in the store while they relax. Or they can lose themselves in a game of backgammon, chess or tick-tac-toe.

"We have some people that even bring their own games in here. It's a good atmosphere for kids," McNeill said. "Junior high and high school kids come in and do their homework. But we have all ages of people in here."

Latte Da offers customers something for all the senses. On many Friday and Saturday nights, customers have the opportunity to hear live music in the store.

"We do a lot of very easy listening stuff: contemporary Christian, folk, blues--even jazz bands at times," said McNeill. "(Customers) really enjoy themselves and enjoy a very welcoming, comfy atmosphere. We've had people from out of town—Columbia, Hannibal, even Cleveland Ohio (play live at Latte Da). We're really getting a lot of calls from people (in bands) who have heard about us. We're open to listen to any local groups who would want to play here. It's an opportunity for them to have their music heard."

Latte Da may also be booked for private parties on Monday and Tuesday evenings. The store can accommodate up to 50 people and there is a $75, 2-hour minimum. Additional time may be requested for $25 an hour.

McNeill said she desires to convey hospitality to each customer.

"We really try to learn their names. We greet people, especially the regulars, by their first name when they come into the door. It makes the experience better for them," she said.

Latte Da opens at 6 a.m. Monday through Friday and at 8 a.m. on Saturdays. Monday and Tuesday they close at 2 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday they close at 9 p.m. and they're open on Friday and Saturday until 10 p.m. The store does take a mid-afternoon break on Saturdays, closing from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

"We (McNeill and husband John) both grew up here. We both are Fox High School graduates," she said. "(The coffeeshop) was something I was thinking about for about three years (before starting one). I enjoy the coffeehouse atmosphere, and (thought) I would have really loved for something like this to be in Arnold, so I just decided to do it myself. It's kind of a different atmosphere—there's really nothing like it out here."