Country singer and viral TikTok sensation Alexandra Kay is bringing her signature pink aesthetic and deep hometown roots to downtown Waterloo, Illinois, with the opening of her first coffee shop, The Coffee Girl, on June 19.
What began as a pandemic-era TikTok routine has come full circle, as Kay, known online as the “coffee girl,” prepares to open a namesake café in her hometown. “It was always my dream, ever since those videos went viral, that one day I’m going to open up my own shop, and it’s going to be called ‘The Coffee Girl’.” Her journey hasn’t been linear. Kay’s return to Illinois came on the heels of industry setbacks, she began building a fanbase of over 4.3 million on TikTok during the pandemic and eventually earned tour spots with country legends like Tim McGraw and Jelly Roll.
That hometown love is at the heart of The Coffee Girl, which occupies the longtime home of Bean Tree Café – a local staple Kay grew up frequenting. “I used to live in the apartment building right next door and I never left town without going to Bean Tree with my sisters and having lunch or breakfast.” When she approached Bean Tree’s owners, family friends Jay and Lisa, about opening her own café, they surprised her by offering to sell the business after 17 years. “It was the perfect fit. I got my dream location [and was able to] help my friends retire,” she said.
Designed to feel like stepping into the Alexandra Kay brand, the shop is unmistakable: the entire exterior is painted pink with a sweeping floral mural. Inside, muted blush tones, bows and hanging flowers set a cozy-yet-playful tone. “I want people to walk in and feel the brand – even if they don’t know who I am,” she explained.
Guests can expect a hybrid menu that honors Bean Tree’s legacy while introducing new favorites curated by Kay and her father, who now manages the shop. Beloved classics like the café’s signature skillet remain, along with Kay’s go-to sandwich, a turkey bacon melt she’s been ordering for 17 years. New additions include eggs Benedict, broccoli cheddar soup in a bread bowl, and a “pick two” lunch combo. “I wanted to make sure that I kept the core items that kept bringing people back to that cafe for years [and] put our own little spin on the menu,” she shared.
In-house roasts, bow-adorned lattes and Alexandra Kay merchandise bring her brand to life beyond the stage. With built-in photo ops, including a 3D floral wall with seating, it’s made for meet-ups and Instagram moments alike.
The grand opening kicks off June 19 at 10 a.m. with a meet and greet with Kay and her team. “This gives everyone a chance to come say hi before my St. Louis show the next day,” she shared.
While plans for expansion to Nashville are on the horizon, Kay insists that Waterloo will always be the heart of The Coffee Girl. “This is how I give back. I want people to keep coming home and I want to make Waterloo proud.”
This article appears in June 2025.