Cup & Kettle Tea Company Shifted to Manufacturing

The Bloomington business moved to a warehouse following a ceiling collapse and prolonged construction damage.

Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Openings & Closings

A stainless steel industrial hopper filled with loose tea leaves sits in a sunlit warehouse. — Cup & Kettle Tea Company has officially transitioned to a wholesale manufacturing model, relocating production to a new warehouse facility in Bloomington. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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After closing its cafe at 208 N. Walnut St. due to flooding and structural damage, Cup & Kettle Tea Company has successfully transitioned into a full-scale tea manufacturing facility. The business now operates out of a new warehouse location at 1331 W. 11th St.

Why it matters

Financial pressures resulting from neighboring construction at the Princess Theater and a severe pipe burst forced the company to overhaul its business model. This strategic shift allows the brand to focus on wholesale production and unique product lines rather than storefront operations.

The company moved from its original 208 N. Walnut St. cafe, established in 2017, to a new production facility at 1331 W. 11th St. after a catastrophic ceiling collapse in December 2025.

The players

Jessica Messmer

She is the sole owner and operator who successfully navigated the company's transition from a cafe to a manufacturing entity.

Adam Nahas

He serves as a business partner who combines his operational expertise with Messmer to rebuild the company.

IU Hilltop Garden and Nature Center

This institution partners with local businesses to provide educational programming and botanical resources.

The details

Co-owners Jessica Messmer and Adam Nahas have pivoted the business toward wholesale retail and the production of tea-infused perfumes and colognes. The company is actively collaborating with the IU Hilltop Garden and Nature Center to expand its footprint in the local market.

Cup & Kettle opened its original cafe at 208 N. Walnut St. in 2017.
Jessica Messmer assumed sole ownership of the company in 2020.
Construction took place at the neighboring Princess Theater during 2023.
The Princess Theater construction project reached completion in October 2025.
A ceiling collapse caused by a pipe burst forced the cafe to close in December 2025.

Market Landscape

This transition aligns with a broader shift toward lean, manufacturing-centric retail models that prioritize wholesale production over high-overhead physical storefronts. By diversifying into tea-infused personal care products, the company is positioning itself to capture new revenue streams beyond traditional beverage sales.

Customers can no longer visit the tea shop on Walnut Street but can continue to access products through the brand's upcoming redesigned website and blend society platform. The company is also working to establish a new retail presence at College Mall to maintain its local footprint.

The takeaway

Sudden structural damage and construction can prove fatal for small cafes, but pivoting to a specialized manufacturing model offers a path to long-term survival. Businesses facing similar disruptions should evaluate if their core strengths can be repackaged for wholesale markets.