Hand-drawn hometown collection
A hand-drawn celebration of St. Charles, available exclusively at Maple Leaf Coffee House.
Directions to Maple Leaf Coffee House15 oz ceramic mugMicrowave safeDishwasher safe
Community
St. Charles is a beautiful Fox River city with historic architecture, a vibrant arts scene, and traditions that fill the calendar. The Arcada Theatre, Hotel Baker, riverfront parks, Municipal Building, and Scarecrow Festival give residents and visitors many reasons to love downtown.
The collaboration
Our family lived in St. Charles at two different points of transition, including when we were moving back to the United States after living in Canada. Altogether, we spent about six months there, and I actually drew the St. Charles Mug while we were living in the community.
We have friends and ministry partners in St. Charles, and now that we live nearby, it remains one of our favorite places for dates and family outings. We enjoy coffee, walks downtown, trips to Rocket Fizz with our kids, the Fox River, and Pottawatomie Park.
The Humpty Dumpty figure, the fox, the downtown landscape, and the river are among my favorite pieces on the mug. St. Charles represents both a meaningful transition in our family’s story and a place where we continue to dine, have fun, and spend time with people we cherish.
The St. Charles Mug is now available at Maple Leaf Coffee House, the St. Charles café from Maple Leaf Coffee Roasters, at 1 West Illinois Street.
The story behind the mug
Inside the illustration
Opened in 1926 for silent films and vaudeville, the Arcada remains a downtown St. Charles entertainment landmark.
The Fox River shapes St. Charles’ downtown landscape, with riverfront parks and trails connecting the community.
Hotel Baker’s 1928 riverfront setting and historic Rainbow Room reflect St. Charles’ long tradition of hospitality and entertainment.
Built in 1940, the St. Charles Municipal Building is a distinctive example of Moderne civic architecture.
Mount St. Mary Park combines riverfront recreation with St. Charles’ outdoor Sculpture in the Park displays.
St. Charles’ fall Scarecrow Weekend fills downtown with handmade scarecrows, public voting, and family activities.
Journal · Behind the drawing
The town held our family during transitions, then became a local coffee collaboration.
Read the story
