Coffees n’ “Dreams” . . . featuring Cristie Madron

One of my favorite questions to ask someone is, “What personal accomplishment makes you most proud?” I didn’t have to ask Cristie, the owner of Coffees n’ Cream, this question during my recent visit with her. The answer was obvious.

Nearly every one of her sentences included proud, loving words about friends and family: Keeley, Rickey, Buddy, Heather, and twin grandchildren. As she described her close connection with her family, including lots of ATV riding, and good old sit-down dinners every night, I wondered how she has any energy left to run a business. She arrives at her shop every morning between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m. As for this interviewer, I wished I’d ordered a triple espresso just to keep the pace with her during our visit.

Cristie appears to have unlimited energy, which is a good testimonial to the power of coffee (which she says she “LOVES”), but even more indicative of the power of vision and commitment. This woman gets a dream in her head and look out world.

Two years ago, she said good-bye to her management position with Albertsons and the glitz of Las Vegas, Nevada, and searched for the right place to finish raising her children. Although it was far from her parents and all that was familiar, holding onto her faith, she intuitively knew the beautiful mountain community of Garden Valley was perfect. The quaint, clean, well-run Coffees n’ Cream caught her eye. Cristie dreamed of owning the place, and because Cristie’s dreams are the same as goals, it all came together as smooth as one of her vanilla softies on a hot day.

For nearly a year, Cristie and family have been serving up delicious coffee, fresh cookies, scones, soups, sandwiches, and ice cream. In the thirty minutes I was there, the customers poured in and the coffee poured out. Several Boise commuters commented that their day doesn’t begin until they arrive at Coffees n’ Cream. I think it is particularly nice that people can get a positive little head zap while they wait in line and before they even take a sip of coffee, just by reading the inspirational messages that decorate the walls. Hand painted signs by Garden Valley artist, Anita Sherwood, include: “These are the days we’ll remember”. “There is always something to be thankful for.” “Look for the small miracles and you’ll find they are everywhere.”

Speaking of small miracles and things to be thankful for, Cristie walks the talk. Recently, she spearheaded a fundraiser to pay for warm-ups for the high school girls’ basketball team. With timing that only a coach could have, Coach Tucker happened to stop in for a cup of Joe and was able to tell me herself how Cristie raised $2,000 to buy sixteen good-looking warm-ups for the Lady Wolverines. Cristie gave the credit to others, and said it was an easy project because “THE FABULOUS 36,” all local businesses, donated to the cause without blinking an eye.

Applauding your achievements in the past, and looking forward to more in 2007, keep dreaming Cristie because we love what happens when you do!

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