Most consignment stores don't have a coffee shop for patrons, but then again, RC Coffee & Collectables isn't a typical consignment shop.
The family-owned hybrid consignment/coffee shop is everything an antique store or flea market browser could want, but with a pop culture angle and a titular focus on collectibles.
"Pokemon cards, sports memorabilia cards, any kind of collection, we'll be happy to either purchase it from you, or we can also offer to sell it for you. We're one of the only stores here that actually sells on eBay for its customers," Renee Altamirano, owner of RC Coffee and Collectables, located at 1534 Malvern Ave., said.
"My background is eBay sales. I've been selling things on eBay for the past 20 years. And so when this opportunity arose to be able to have a store of my own, I was super excited to be able to offer the things that I have already as well as offer to the community to be able to sell their items on eBay," Altamirano said.
Altamirano took ownership of RC Coffee & Collectables in May this year and is a first-time brick-and-mortar business owner.
"I'm excited to bring a new perspective here to the store and see how I can do some improvements and bring some more exciting pieces here," she said.
RC Coffee and Collectables hosts regular events, as well.
"We do Pokemon night, coin club night. We're looking at possibly doing some other events here, like Dungeons and Dragons ... we're trying to get more events, more clubs," Altamirano said.
Pokemon night is at 6 p.m. the second Friday of each month and coin club night is at 6:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month. A Pokemon vendor is often present at Pokemon night, selling merchandise not available in most stores in the area, Altamirano said.
The coffee shop itself is at a striking wooden bar at one side of the store. A great variety of hot beverages is available, with everything from sweet dessert coffees and espressos to herbal and decaf teas. A display with delicious muffins drizzled with icing sit by the register, silently tempting.
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"We've got signature frappuccinos, all sorts of great dessert coffees, as well. We also have different teas, lemon grass, butterfly tea, herbals teas, green teas, matcha. Pretty much if you want some coffee, if you want tea, we've got it for you," Altamirano said.
The coffee shop offers hot meals that will fill the stomach as well -- casual but delicious fare including everything from soups and sandwiches to baked goods. The tasty Reuben is the favorite of the manager, Jensen Hillestad.
" ... the sauce ... the gooey cheese, it's definitely a good creation," Hillestad said.
The standout item on the menu, however, has to be the "Wafflewich."
"(It's) a really unique take on a breakfast sandwich, with two waffles, egg, cheese, sausage or ham," Altamirano said.
The waffles alone are popular, and can be ordered with the traditional maple syrup and butter or with chocolate or strawberry syrup poured on top.
"It's been really exciting, it's been a lot of work, obviously. It's exciting having the coffee shop, which is something new to me. So there's a lot going on here, and that's what makes it really fun," she said.
"We have a lot of our regular clientele that love to just stop in and chit chat. Feel free if you're in the area, come on in, look around ... it's a really fun environment just to be in -- nice little friendly coffee shop."
Q&A with Renee Altamirano
The following are excerpts from the interview with Renee Altamirano, presented in question-and-answer format:
Q: Favorite meal of all time?
A: I'm originally from Vermont, so I'm a New Englander ... so my favorite food of all time is lobster.
Q: Go-to comfort food?
A: I would probably say lasagna. Got to love the pasta and the sauce.
Q: Favorite restaurant?
A: Sushi is my favorite, so whatever sushi restaurant is around -- that'd be my favorite.
Q: Favorite part of working in the Hot Springs area?
A: I love the community, I love the people, I love the hometown feel. You really get to know the people in the area, they become your friends. I enjoy all the events that Hot Springs has to offer for the family. That was one of the reasons why we came to Hot Springs, was for all of the family atmosphere.
Q: Advice for someone getting started in the restaurant business?
A: Really, you have to just jump in and go for it. If that's something that you want to do, go for it. You're going to be scared, it's going to be overwhelming, there's a lot involved. One thing is ask for help. That's one thing in consignment -- I have a lot of people bring me things that I don't necessarily know about, but I have contacts in different areas. So I can reach out to coin people and jewelry people. It's always good to really explore who you have around you and ask to see what kind of help that they can give you. The community is great here in Hot Springs.
The Wafflewich is a delicious twist on a breakfast sandwich. - Photo by Andrew Mobley of The Sentinel-Record.
One of the many sweet frappuccinos offered at RC Coffee and Collectables is shown. - Photo by Andrew Mobley of The Sentinel-Record.
A Pokemon pack is shown. Pokemon is a big part of RC Coffee and Collectables business. - Photo by Andrew Mobley of The Sentinel-Record.