WHO IS THE HIGH LIFT?
HEY! I’M EMILEE RYSTICKEN, OWNER AND FOUNDER OF THE HIGH LIFT.
I’m 22 years old and it has always been a dream of mine to open a coffee shop. In October, 2021, I purchased an old auto shop that my father and I have worked hard to renovate. We did everything from excavating the entire lot worth of concrete, to painting two 52 ft. murals inside the old car wash, which now serves as our enclosed drive - thru. What we didn’t know when we purchased 1207 Madison Street, was how rich the history of this property truly was...
IN TWO RIVERS,1207 MADISON STREET IS WELL KNOWN AS THE OLD PETERSON’S MOBIL.
Peterson’s Mobil Service Station started in the late 1920’s. They remained in business until the early 2000’s, staying in the Peterson family for the better half of a century. I was fortunate enough to acquire original photographs from the last owner, Chuck Peterson. With each photograph, he gave me history lessons and stories that I will cherish and share for many years to come.
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THE FIRST PETERSON'S MOBIL
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1930'S
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TWO RIVER'S ONLY CAB 1930'S
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DEMOLITION IN 1941
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THE SECOND PETERSON'S MOBIL
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PETERSON'S FIRST WRECKER
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CHUCK PETERSON ( MIDDLE ) FRANCIS PETERSON ( RIGHT )
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GETTING GAS AT PETERSON'S
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F. M. PETERSON PUMPING GAS
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PETERSON'S IN THE LATE 50'S
FROM THE VERY BEGINNING I HAD A CLEAR VISION OF WHAT THE HIGH LIFT WOULD BECOME.
I set out to fill the need for a perfect gathering place within my community. Where kids can study, friends can catch up, dog lovers can hang out on our patio, and the busy-body can quickly use our drive-thru.
WHILE SERVING GREAT COFFEE IS A HIGH PRIORITY, CREATING A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE WAS ALWAYS THE MOST IMPORTANT.
A home away from home, where you can always count on a smile, a place to sit and a tasty drink to sip on. I waited years for the right property. We couldn’t give people the experience we wanted to in a cramped space or any average building.
NOW THAT THE RENOVATION IS COMPLETE, IT’S TIME TO REFOCUS EFFORTS INTO OUR BRAND VALUES.
1) CONSISTENCY AND QUALITY.
We carefully hand picked our coffee after sampling from dozens of roasters all across the country. After careful consideration, we ended up choosing, Creation Coffee. They’re a roaster located in Michigan. We met the owners, built relationships and visited the roastery. We believe in their company values and fell in love with their focus on quality.
We use scales throughout our entire operation. This ensures our measurements are precise, so that we can serve a consistent product.
2) BUILDING COMMUNITY.
We want our space to be a welcoming second home. Where our staff feels like friends. With our coffee seeming like a comforting hug. We hope to build a sense of family and belonging, making our brand more than just a business. We want to become a community.
3) FOSTERING CREATIVITY.
The High Lift wouldn’t be The High Lift without creativity. Throughout our journey we hope to give creatives a voice. We will host musicians, artists, and all kinds of creative minds. Whether it’s to showcase their work, or sit down with a cup of coffee and create!