Mokena's New 'Book Bar' A Toast To Owners’ Talents, Passions

MOKENA, IL — When it came time to name their joint business adventure, Melissa Lathus and Tea Casey mulled quite a few ideas—"a million," they joke.

Ultimately, they decided to keep it simple: there are books, and it's (in part) a bar.

A year in the making, their Book Bar—a meld of bookstore, coffee shop and bar—is set to open Jan. 15 in Mokena at 19060 Everett Blvd.

It's a concept befitting each woman's backgrounds and passions—baking, beverages and hospitality for Lathus, and books and coffee for Casey—and a haven for book lovers. A space where book clubs can huddle up to dissect plots over charcuterie boards and cocktails (or mocktails), or enjoy something hot while indulging in just one more chapter. Grab a breakfast pastry as you crack open a new book, then sip a cocktail later as a plot twist stuns. Bring your own book, or buy one there (maybe even both, honestly).

It's already everything they had hoped, before the door has even opened.

"We’re super-excited," said Casey, of the opening nearing. "... Pretty nervous, but mostly excited."

Peotone resident Lathus and Mokena native Casey have known each other several years. Lathus previously owned Grounded Coffee Bar in downtown Frankfort, where Casey worked as a barista. Lathus sold the business while expecting her third child with husband Kody, but Lathus and Lincoln-way Central HS grad Casey stayed in touch.

Just over a year ago, they met to chat—at a bookstore, of course.

"Tea and I got together at Barnes and Noble, we were just talking, and came up with the idea last January," Lathus said, "and the ball started rolling from there."

It was overwhelming for both at first. Lathus had purchased Grounded as an existing business; Casey had never before tiptoed into business ownership.

"It’s definitely been a little crazy," Casey said. "I’m so thankful that I’ve had Melissa with me, because I’ve learned so much from her. She’s been my mentor."

With the background of Grounded, Lathus brought a different perspective.

"It was already established for 2-3 years," she said, of Grounded. "I saw where it could grow and change. I think that was a little bit easier, because I didn’t have to go from the ground up."

The 3,000-square-foot space near 191st and LaGrange Road was blank when they started, and triple the space she had at Grounded.

"It’s definitely been different to do this, and not alone, either," Lathus said. "It’s been really great having that third person with Tea, to be able to cover things that I don’t know with the book world. And to just have a second, third opinion on things when I was stuck. It’s nice to do this with someone else, with someone you trust and fully get along with.

"A lot of time, Tea will say, 'you just said what I was thinking.' We have very similar styles and thought processes, which makes this easier. We’re friends first, so we always talk things through. At the end of the day, it’s good to lean on someone else, and go through problems together."

The women pulled in their expertise at every turn. As she prepared to stock their shelves, Casey pored over book- and reader-based social media, becoming an avid follower of TikTok's "BookTok" and Instagram's "Bookstagram." She got a sense of what people are reading across all genres, and how those books were rating.

"We’ve been to quite a few bookshops that are a specific type of bookstore, like romance," Casey said. "We just wanted to offer a little bit of every genre.

"I’m very well-versed in new authors and books coming out. It’s very fun to choose what kinds of books we sell."

The business partners each have their favorite authors and genres. For Casey, it's Sarah J. Mass, of A Court of Thorns and Roses, and Rebecca Yarros, of Fourth Wing. She enjoys fantasy books, crime, and thriller/mystery. Lathus is drawn to murder mysteries and thrillers. You'll find a little bit of all of that, in addition to graphic novels and a wide selection of children's books. There will also be a section for nonfiction and indie authors.

The stocked shelves will be complimented with a menu curated by Lathus. Bringing in her culinary background, she'll make morning pastries fresh, with a menu to include scones, croissants, biscuits, various toasts, and breakfast sandwiches (to name just a few).

"I've always really loved baking," Lathus said. "When I was younger, I would bake out of my house for events. I wanted to bring that homemade pastry feel here."

The evening menu will shift more to shareables, including charcuterie boards, nachos, salsa and guacamole flights, and truffle Parmesan fries.

"We wanted to elevate the 'bar food,'" Lathus said. "... Charcuterie boards, fries that are not just your typical fries."

They've partnered with La Colombe as their coffee roaster, and the coffee and tea bar, "will have anything you could possibly think of," they said.

"You name it, we can make it, from seasonal draft lattes to espresso favorites to a big selection of loose-leaf teas."

They'll also sell hand-picked wine and beer, paired with classic and book-inspired cocktails. Expect classics like an Old-Fashioned, martini, cosmopolitan and sours. They'll also have a portion of the menu that incorporates their teas, espressos, to accompany the spirits, Lathus said. Mocktails will also be on the menu.

They plan to offer specialty and themed cocktails built around book titles or series, and can do the same for charcuterie boards and snacks.

"We want everything to be customized," Lathus said.

Already, they've received inquiries about private events to be hosted at the space, and they'll work with planners to create an experience around their specific visions.

"For book clubs, we’ll offer that option, and work with their theme to create a menu for the group," Lathus said.

The space was designed with a vision they couldn't quite put their finger on, but which others aptly described as "dark academia," Lathus said—a subculture and aesthetic that emphasizes learning, reading, writing and the arts. The colors are deep and rich, with pops of white and patterns.

"Black walls, dark colors, but the bar itself has a lot of whites and golds," Lathus said. "I think it works well—not too dark, not too bright. It still has that dark academia feel."

Lathus credits her husband for his leadership as general contractor and patience overall—he was mopping the floors during their interview with Patch—and said they're eager to open Jan. 15.

"At BookBar, we believe that every great story deserves a delicious companion," their website reads. "Whether you're savoring a sweet treat, sipping a rich brew, or diving into a captivating novel, BookBar is the quirky haven where flavors and stories entwine."

Casey has some jitters, but can't wait to dive in.

"Super-excited to see what this year brings us," she said.

Book Bar, 19060 Everett Blvd. in Mokena, will open January 15. Hours will be Sunday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Find out more on their website, and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.