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A new café with a literary twist is preparing to open its doors in downtown Geneva. Storybook Café, founded by Nighum Abbas and her business partner Sara, is set to debut in October 2025 at 407 S. 3rd Street.
The cozy, book-themed spot will serve ceremonial-grade matcha, high-quality coffees, and fresh pastries in a welcoming community space.
Key things to know:
Abbas first fell in love with matcha in high school and deepened her knowledge thereafter, with a 2024 trip to Kyoto, Japan sparking the idea for the cafe.
She and Sara launched the project in 2024. Sara’s husband Omar — the resident coffee expert — has been instrumental in shaping the café’s coffee program.
Abbas has been persistent in an entrepreneurial journey that has required navigating rising costs due to tariffs while raising twins and expecting her third child.
The partners say the Tri-Cities community has been incredibly supportive, and they hope the café will add even more energy to Geneva’s downtown while collaborating with fellow small businesses.
Storybook Café will be open every day from 5AM-5PM. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram for updates as the opening date approaches.
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