Our Story

Welcome to Twisted Stache Coffee & Creamery

Our story is one of believing in ourselves and taking a huge leap. My name is Nikki Kiernicki-Pitman; me, my husband, Shaw Pitman, and our son relocated to Mount Vernon in 2022. Shaw and I met while working as EMTs soon after he finished his active service in the Marine Corps. We were shipped the "Pitnickis" almost immediately and still refer to our family name as such. For the next two decades, we worked as first responders in Chicago and surrounding area. We built a beautiful family and a good life, but big city life was draining. We longed for a simpler life. One where we could be a real part of the community. One where "we shop local" meant buying from your neighbor. One where people's word meant something and fellowship wasn't just a concept.

We planned on taking a sabbatical year traveling throughout the US in 2020 to decide where we may call home after retirement, but y'all know what happened in 2020. So we worked the pandemic and figured out our next move. Fast forward a couple months and a move was thrust upon us as our family chose medical freedom, and that didn't sit so well with my employer. In a whirlwind, we got our ducks in a row and bought our house here in Mount Vernon. In Spring 2022, we stumbled upon the "Country Shoppe" with a for sale by owner sign. At that time we were tying up our loose ends in Chicago and had no idea what we were going to do for work once we made the full time move. We knew after over two decades of seeing people on their worst day we wanted to bring joy to others, but we didn't know exactly how that would look. As we stood in the parking lot, Shaw looked at me and said, "Let's open a coffee and ice cream shop," and Twisted Stache Coffee & Creamery was born.

We hope to not only serve as a place to get a great cup of coffee or yummy treat but as a place to gather where everyone is welcome. Serving our fellow humans has always been a way of life for Shaw and I, and we hope to continue our service in a slightly different way than our previous life. We look forward to hosting community building events and featuring local artisans and artists. We are committed to supporting the community through fundraiser nights and ongoing monthly donations. We may have just been planted but look forward to growing our roots deep in this community. We look forward to meeting you!

-Nikki & Shaw