Skip to content


The Journey of Council Oak: From Humble Beginnings to New Horizons

Council Oak began in June 2015 under the name Stone Bru, as a modest drive-thru coffee shop in Sioux City, Iowa. It was a family venture—founded and operated by the Lepper, Boonstra, and Jennings families. Each played a crucial role in financing, brand development, construction, and daily operations.

The goal was simple but ambitious: serve the highest quality organic coffee with genuine kindness. None of the founding partners had prior experience in the coffee or restaurant industries. The learning curve was steep and filled with trial and error. But that time kindled a deep love for coffee, the business of coffee, and—most importantly—the people they served and worked alongside.

Growth and Evolution

Between 2017 and 2020, the company expanded rapidly, opening five retail locations and learning valuable lessons at each step of the journey. Then, in 2019, Stone Bru took a significant leap forward. Nick Topf, who had played an instrumental role as a coffee consultant in 2015, officially joined as a partner. With his passion for coffee and years of industry experience, Nick helped launch the company’s roasting operation.

Roasting and distributing coffee for its retail locations founded new opportunities. The company formed partnerships with other cafés and commercial clients, evolving into the full-service roasting and café supply company it is today.

We source the finest coffee from around the globe and serve it with kindness. It’s grade-one specialty coffee, organic, and Fair Trade. We source direct trade as well as Smithsonian Bird Friendly Certified coffee. Our commitment to quality is to honor our customers and producers. We roast in a way that magnifies the work of those who grew it.

The Legacy of the Council Oak: A Symbol of Peace and Community

On the banks of the Big Sioux River, a mighty bur oak stood tall for over 250 years, its sprawling branches offering shelter and strength to generations. According to local legend, this tree, later known as the Council Oak, served as a sacred meeting place for native leaders and early pioneers. Beneath its canopy, they forged peaceful relationships and laid the foundation for a cooperative future.

The Council Oak became more than a tree. It stood as a living monument to peace, unity, and respect, a symbol woven into the cultural fabric of Sioux City. Its fame spread through the region. Paintings and photographs of the tree appeared on postcards and souvenirs at the turn of the century. 

Such was its influence when the local grocery distributor Tollerton and Warfield sought a name for their new catalog. They turned to this symbol of unity and strength, calling it The Council Oak Catalog. This venture grew into a chain of general stores known as the Council Oak Store. This expanded to over 90 locations across the Midwest between 1914 and 1955. Though the stores eventually closed, the name lived on in local memory, as a cherished part of the city's history.

In 2023, the spirit of the Council Oak found new life. A local coffee roasting company embraced the tradition and symbolism of the historic Council Oak. The iconic images of the tree and the stories it carried became a guiding inspiration for the new brand.

The story of the Council Oak is one of peace, cooperation, mutual respect, and values that transcend generations. We are honored to carry this legacy forward, paying tribute to a symbol that has long stood for connection and community.

Looking for wholesale?

We've been through all the stages of a coffee business. Avoid the mistakes we made along the way. 
Apply for a wholesale account!