Quoted from February 2005 Scottsbluff-Gering United Chamber of Commerce Impact Newsletter.

2005 Visionary Rising Star Award Winner

The Visionary Rising Star is presented to a chamber member who has been in business five years or less. This award recognizes an entrepreneur who has not only followed their vision by getting off to successful start, but also shares time, talent and resources for the betterment of the community.

This year's joint honorees hail from Lincoln, Nebraska. Both attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. College majors included journalism, community development, dentistry, and fitness training. This is an interesting combination for their future endeavors. Their actual merger took place in 1987 with wedding vows and an acquisition of a wonderful four-year old son named Michael. Two beautiful daughters joined the crew in the early 1990's to complete the company. The head of the household worked for the government and was called to St. Louis, Missouri to lead a problem solving team. Living in St. Louis was a great experience and exposed them to new ideas. This is where the seed began to grow for these visionaries.

Both loved coffee and great quality food. One member of the team was an excellent cook and was always concocting and experimenting delicious new items to entertain at parties. She signed her partner up for wine tasting classes as a birthday gift and he became very interested in the subject.

November of 2000 brought them to Scottsbluff to be closer to family. The downtown business district touched the heart of one partner and he was instrumental in helping formulate the foundation for the Downtown Scottsbluff Association. In September of

2001 these rising stars purchased an old house on First Avenue. Assets included a small coffee shop. Talents added to the business plan included business management, coffee brewing, gourmet cooking, decorative design and dreams to expand. Major investments

were made in 2003 to pursue their vision. This community watched a small coffee shop blossom into an upscale bistro and full dining experience. In the spring of 2004 remodeling began to enlarge the kitchen, expand the deck and add a new dining room.

Features include delicious top-of-the-line coffees and beverages, a full bar and wine list, and a fresh and healthy gourmet menu. The ambiance offers a sophisticated dining experience similar to a major metro area, but instead it is in the heart of downtown

Scottsbluff.

Ron and Sara Schluter exemplify what true community spirit should be, and are a testimony to what vision can bring when you have passion and talent. and have passed that gift onto to Michael, Alex and Jessica.

Ron & Sara

Schluter

Emporium Coffeehouse & Café