Bill Crum holds a degree in philosophy from Iowa State University. These days, he waxes philosophical about high-quality coffee and supporting local commerce.

Crum, owner of Mister Crums Bakery and Cafe (203 W. Lincoln Highway), started the home-grown business in his native DeKalb almost 16 years ago.

Beginning his eatery with homemade cookies and muffins, the menu has expanded over the years to include soups and sandwiches, with new additions on the way.

But it’s the aroma of exotic blends of coffee that first greets the customer.

“My coffees are certified, so if it says ‘Organic Costa Rican,’ the coffee is certified to be from Costa Rica and to be organically grown,” he said.

While Crum said some other businesses use coffee services, which require the franchise to use specific products, he has chosen to operate on his own.

“I could choose to go the cheapest route, like so many other competitors or chains do, and have a service do my coffee,” he added, explaining that independence in the business requires purchasing thousands of dollars worth of machinery – a far cry from the personal-size espresso machine he started out with.

But to Crum, that independence is well worth it.

“I am not tied down to anybody’s product,” he said. “Therefore, if I choose to buy from this company or that company, or this particular brand of coffee, it’s my choice.

“What separates my coffees is that I have certified coffees from all over the world,” he added. “Sometimes they can range from the most expensive, which is Jamaica Blue Mountain, to Yemen, Haiti Port-au-Prince, different kinds of Tanzania Peaberries from different plantations.

“Everything in my business is variety,” Crum said. “Sixteen kinds of cookies, 20 kinds of muffins, two different kinds of cinnamon rolls, doughnuts, strudel bars. So if you don’t want to be herded into a No. 1, or a No. 2 with extra cheese, this is what sets me apart.”

Through trial, error and observation, Crum tailored his menu and perfected his baking techniques. He used cookbook recipes and his college work experiences in restaurants and a bakery as a basis for what evolved into recipes of his own.

“I’d eaten macaroni and cheese for absolutely as long as I could have in college,” he said. “I couldn’t eat anymore, so I had to do something.”

Today, instead of promoting his business with advertising, Crum relies on word-of-mouth generated by his participation in fundraisers with area schools, NIU’s Campus Activities Board and other organizations.

“I kind of use that as an opportunity to get my product out. If I can get a cookie or a muffin in somebody’s mouth, they’re probably going to come back,” he said.

Employee and DeKalb resident Angela Schiola started working at Mister Crums a little more than a year ago.

“I know most of the people that come in here, ” she said. “You see them every day and you have conversations with them. It just makes your day go better.”

Schiola said the freshness of Mister Crums’ baked goods and other items set the store apart from the competition. All of the baked goods, with the exception of doughnuts and bagels, are homemade.

“It depends on your taste,” she added. “A lot of people prefer store-bought things, but you can taste the freshness here.”