The walk from Jewell to Holy Grounds is around 10 minutes. Google Maps will tell you 13, but if you have long legs and/or embrace your inner New Yorker, it will take you 10. It is a nice walk through the historic neighborhoods of Liberty. Since the space is not a traditional coffee shop, it is quite an adventure. The front door to the coffee shop is on the south entrance of the church and down the stairs to the church’s basement.

The space is full of old books from the church’s library. alls that are not covered in books showcase the church organist’s original paintings. The dark oak of the table and bar creates a lovely, warm feel that contrasts with clean white spaces. They are always playing Gregorian chants or Anglican choir music, so, depending on your relationship with religion, you may find it peaceful and centering. However, if you are not used to being in church settings, you may find it a little strange. If you are not interested in the music, there is plenty of seating on their patio with shade and a peaceful ambience. 

The coffee shop’s menu is pretty standard, though a lot of their products are sourced from local small businesses. They roast their own coffee and they brew tea from Anna Marie’s Teas on the Liberty Square. I love their matcha because it is more on the gritty side. Their ratio of matcha to milk is the best in Liberty; many other local coffee shops dilute their matcha to the point where it is basically just green milk. Their espresso-based drinks are fine compared to the local standards of Liberty, but their espresso is just not quite up-to-par in my opinion. If you consider yourself a coffee snob like me, I would recommend getting a tea, a matcha or a drink with one of their many syrups. They make most of their syrups in-house, including my two favorites: vanilla lavender and cinnamon almond coconut.

There are many food options including pastries, and an extensive menu of more savory foods. Plus, they always have fudge samples from a local fudge maker up in Kearney.

Overall, it is a lovely walk from campus and a quiet place to study or hang out with friends. If you try it out, I recommend trying the fudge and getting a drink with one of their homemade syrups.

It’s always high time for pie at Liberty’s new pie and dessert shop. Pie Time, located next to Nickel and Suede and Bittersweet Apothecary at 111 N. Water Street, is the perfect place to go to satisfy those cravings that no dorm room mug cake can.

Pie Time opened Dec. 8. Since opening, they have been a part of Let’s Wine About Winter and offered Christmas and Valentine’s Day specials.  

The Hilltop Monitor spoke to owner Christine Crouch about choosing this location. She notes the Liberty Square’s ability to draw people out as a big reason why she chose to open Pie Time on the Square.

“A lot more people want to come down here and shop so it has a very homey feel to be in this location,” Crouch said.

The shop is airy and cheerful. The kitchen can be seen from the entry, giving the small space a cozy, comforting feel.

Pie is a very homey dessert spot. It’s labor intensive and reminiscent of family tradition. Crouch credits her love for baking to her childhood.

“When I was about 9 or 10 I was in 4-H so I did cooking and sewing and my grandmother was the project leader for the classes,” Crouch said. “I learned a lot of things from her on cooking.”

Crouch has not always been able to use her baking skills as part of her career. Before opening Pie Time, she ran an event venue in Liberty. She has also worked for Liberty Public Schools and been an air traffic controller.

Despite these diverse careers, baking has always been a passion for Crouch.

“I’ve always liked baking pies and cooking for other people,” said Crouch.

Crouch’s favorite flavors of pie to make are chocolate, peanut butter and cherry. She makes a wide assortment of flavors and also offers hand pies, cookies and cakes.

The chocolate and cherry varieties of hand pies are spectacular. The crust is buttery, flaky and superior to any pie crust I’ve had before. The filling is just the right amount of sweet and there is an excellent crust to filling ratio.

Call ahead at 816-651-8685 or email at pietimeliberty@gmail.com to order a pie or a sampler box of a variety of the desserts offered at Pie Time.