By Phoebe Larsen

REXBURG—Formerly tucked away on N. 2^nd East, June’s Place moved to a larger location on Rexburg’s Main Street in November of 2024. Owner June Lockhart is the heart of the shop, greeting customers by name and working alongside her baristas. The coffeehouse has a 4.9-star rating with almost 700 reviews. Why the accolades? 

Regulars credit the coffeehouse’s welcoming, cozy atmosphere—friendly people, local art and eclectic furniture separate it from polished, corporate coffeeshops like Starbucks and land it squarely in the realm of home. It’s a community. 

Lockhart opened June’s Place in 2018. When she was growing up, her father would scoop her out of a turbulent home in Oceanside, Calif., for weekend trips to coffeehouses. Lockhart eventually moved to Rexburg in search of a small-town feel. 

“I guess I was just looking for my own little Mayberry,” said Lockhart.

After her father’s sudden death, Lockhart opened June’s Place. 

“I was working full-time, going to school and raising six kids, but death does something to you. I dropped everything to start the coffeehouse my dad always wanted,” Lockhart said. 

June built her business on her father’s philosophy. 

“In a coffeehouse, everyone’s on equal plateau. Whether you drink coffee or you don’t, you belong,” Lockhart said. His touch is everywhere, from a photo of his motorcycle in the entrance to the Norman Rockwell paintings on the walls.

Ethical coffee sourcing is June’s priority. 

“My dad always drank house coffee, so he always told me I had to have a good bean. I searched worldwide for a high-quality bean that fit my business ethics,” Lockhart said. 

She sources coffee from Crimson Cup, a small company in Ohio that roasts in small batches.

Hot chocolate and a mango raspberry smoothie. Photo credit: Phoebe Larsen 

 “I went out and actually saw the factory, because I had to make sure it was ethically sourced. I even got to meet one of the farmers,” Lockhart said. The brew keeps the regulars coming back. 

Alongside coffees, June’s Place offers teas, hot chocolate, 100% fruit smoothies and specialty sodas. Their food menu is largely locally sourced: Reed’s Dairy ice cream, local muffins, house-made breakfast sandwiches the regulars rave about and cake pops and cheesecakes sourced from family-run local business, Paisley Cakes. Many of their house-made recipes come from baristas.

Cheesecake, cake pops and cookie-dough bon bons on display. Photo credit: Phoebe Larsen

June’s Place also hosts community events, including Harry Potter month in July and a Christmas party with free chocolate-chip cookies and a visit from Santa. In the warmer months, June hopes to resume live music Sundays, offer outdoor seating and add banana splits, hot fudge sundaes and old-fashioned malts to the menu. 

Although she’s received offers to franchise, June says they’re inconsistent with the company’s small-town values. 

“I think people miss the idea that this isn’t about making a ton of money. It’s enough to pay my baristas, but it’s more of a passion,” Lockhart said. There’s talk of a future location in St. Anthony, but Lockhart won’t open it unless the community feeling stays the same. 

June’s Place was Statewide Winner and Best of Eastern Idaho in Coffee in 2022 (Idaho’s Best of Business) and was nominated again in 2024. Drop by 36 East Main Street any day between 6:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. to see why.