Downtown drink shop changes ownership

A longtime educator is making a professional pivot by taking over ownership of a downtown drink shop.

Debbie Wells, along with her husband, Chris, are the new owners of Modern Sips Acai Bar at 323 E. Walnut St. Wells said she bought the business on June 1 from Michael Elder, who had owned the shop since October 2023. The purchase price was undisclosed.

Wells said she’s among the shop’s four employees, which include the couple’s two daughters, Madeline Mackey and Isabelle Wells. The Wellses own the business via MDI Collective LLC, she added.

The menu at Modern Sips includes acai bowls with toppings such as fruit, granola, honey, Nutella and peanut butter, as well as protein smoothies and energy drinks. The shop also offers hot and iced coffee options, including cappuccinos and espressos.

Wells has spent the past 15 years as a teacher in the Republic School District, most recently working as a digital content specialist. She also previously worked for the district as a librarian at Price Elementary School.

However, she said it was her work as a part-time real estate agent with Keller Williams Local, formerly Keller Williams Greater Springfield, that connected her to the ownership opportunity with Modern Sips. Elder also is an agent with Keller Williams, and he posted on Facebook about the business being up for sale.

“It piqued my interest. I gave him a call, and he was just saying all the right words, and it just sounded really perfect to purchase it,” she said.

Wells also has past experience in the food service industry, she said, noting she previously owned two locations of Garden Cafe restaurants in Republic and Springfield. She owned the Republic location from 2000-08 and the Springfield one from 2002-03, selling both eateries. The restaurants have since closed, she said.

“Entrepreneurship has kind of always been in my blood,” Wells said. “In the back of my mind, I just always kept my eyes out for an opportunity.”

Wells said she and her husband signed a three-year lease for an undisclosed rate with Springfield Lofts, a division of Brentwood Management Inc.

After closing on the business purchase, Wells said the 1,700-square-foot shop was closed for over a week for renovations, reopening on June 9.

“I would say the biggest change that we’ve made at this point is just the interior,” she said, declining to disclose renovation costs. “Michael didn’t have a whole lot of furniture, tables and chairs.”

While in the process of buying Modern Sips, Wells said she noticed the lack of furniture led to most customers purchasing their drinks as to-go orders. She’s hopeful that the clientele, which she said seems to include a lot of college students, will stick around in the shop with more places to sit and relax.

“I envision more of a space that’s more inviting where we hope when school comes back into session that students will come hang out with us, do their homework,” she said. “We want to offer a comfortable space for people to come and hang out with their family and friends.”