Walnut + Twine is a delicious coffee house and bake shop located in downtown Harrisburg, MO.
03/01/2025
Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve struggled to find the right words to express our deep sorrow over the loss of a dear community member, a true friend, and one of our favorite coffee shop regulars. Blake embodied everything we cherish about small towns—the generosity, the kindness, the quiet yet profound ways people show up for one another.
I’ll never forget that first winter we were open. A sudden snowstorm rolled in, catching us all off guard. Blake, of course, was out braving the weather, salting sidewalks around town and checking on folks. He stopped by to see if we needed anything, left us a bag of salt, and followed up multiple times afterward to make sure we were okay. That’s just who he was.
A few weeks later, he walked into the shop for the first time and asked the classic coffee shop question: “You guys serve black coffee?” We laughed and assured him, Absolutely!—and just like that, Walnut & Twine gained not only a new regular but a friend. Blake would sit at the counter and visit with everyone. Now and then, he’d overhear someone order “espresso” or “mocha”—and his curiosity would get the best of him. Little by little, he started experimenting, adding a shot of espresso here, a touch of mocha there. Eventually, he landed on his signature creation: drip coffee with one or two shots of espresso (depending on how much work he had ahead of him), a bit of mocha, and just a splash of cream. We lovingly dubbed it The Blake. 😊
We bonded and shared in the joys (*cough* headaches) of trying to get construction done in Boone County.
But what I’ll treasure most are the small, everyday moments—the conversations at the counter, the way his face lit up when he came in with his daughters for coffee dates, and the pure joy of watching him share ice cream time with his grandkids.
Blake’s presence will be deeply missed, but his spirit will always have a place here. And if you ever find yourself in need of a little extra fuel for the day, just ask for The Blake—it’s forever on our secret menu.❤️
Thank you, Blake, for sharing your small-town love with us. You made this place, and this town, better.
With love,
Jessica & the WT Team
