The Ox Shoppe

08/16/2026

Professional barriers can force talented people to choose between staying stuck and creating their own opportunity.

After more than 12 years as a school counselor and administrator, Rheon Gibson faced a major career barrier. Following the filing of a federal discrimination lawsuit against his former school district in 2023, his opportunities became very limited.

Despite his experience, leadership ability, and qualifications, Rheon was left with two choices: accept an entry-level role that did not reflect his capabilities or build a new path for himself.

He chose entrepreneurship.

Turning his passion for Southern-style barbecue into a business, Rheon opened Back At It BBQ in his hometown of DeKalb, Illinois. Just three weeks after its grand opening, Back At It BBQ earned third place in NIU’s “50 Men Who Cook” competition.

Rheon’s journey is about more than barbecue. It is about overcoming barriers, creating opportunity when doors are closed, and showing future generations that a setback does not have to determine your future.

Sometimes, when you are denied a seat at the table, you build your own.

Please support Back At It BBQ

04/07/2026

19 applications. One opportunity. And we’re just getting started.

We’ve received 19 incredible applications for our Small Business Entrepreneur Grant, and submissions will officially close in May.

Next up: a powerhouse team of entrepreneurs will review applications and interview our top candidates.

We cannot wait to select our final recipient—and walk alongside them through 2026 and 2027 as they build, grow, and scale their business.

There is still time to apply! Hit up https://www.theoxshoppe.org/ to submit your application.

If you would like to donate so we can support more applicants, please go here; https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/E29WKTJUHFHMY

This is what real support looks like. 🔥

*****on

01/28/2026

Thank you to the Geauga Maple Leaf for sharing our upcoming grant! Please share out with friends and spread the word about this amazing opportunity

Dawn and Darrell Fleming-Kendall are advancing the mission of their nonprofit organization, The Ox Shoppe, by launching a small business grant program aimed at assisting aspiring entrepreneurs who face challenges that may make it difficult to get on their own feet. The Ox Shoppe helps individuals wh...

12/31/2025

✨ WE’RE BACK. RENEWED. AND READY TO BUILD. ✨

What started as a local farm store has grown into something much bigger.

The Ox Shoppe is now a nonprofit with one clear mission:
👉 breaking down barriers to employment by funding small business dreams.

We are officially relaunching and will be offering small business grants to individuals with barriers to employment—because talent is everywhere, opportunity is not.

📢 Grant applications being awarded early summer 2026
📝 Apply at theoxshoppe.org

If you’ve ever been told no, overlooked, underestimated, or boxed in by a label—this is for you.

Please share this post. Someone in your circle needs to see it.
We’re back—and we’re just getting started. 💪🌱

03/14/2025

Well, today was the day! Papers were signed, and the guardianship of the amazing big red building on the Northwest corner of Thompson Square shifted from us to the Prima Dolce team.
I don't know what their rollout plan is or when they will open, but I encourage you to give them a follow and support them with the same energy that you supported the Ox Shoppe. Their passion is clear and we have no doubt that will be evident in the quality of their food.
Thank you again for your support. We look forward to seeing you on their wonderful new patio this summer!
I attached a few memories from this project! The building came a long way in a few years, and I'm sure it will continue it's progress moving forward!

03/11/2025

For the folks that sold eggs to us in Thompson, please stop by the Cafe site in Madison. We are happy to purchase them from you!

02/26/2025

When we made the decision to close the store in Thompson, we committed to diving even deeper into our mission. Now, we’re excited to share that through Yoked, our jerky brand, we’re finding new and meaningful ways to create opportunities for young men in recovery and reentry—individuals who often face intense scrutiny from potential employers.

For the past few months, we’ve been laying the foundation for this program, and we’re thrilled to announce that our online store has officially soft-launched this week! 🎉 This is just the first step of many as we grow this product line in a big way—opening doors for countless individuals we’ve set out to support.

As friends of The Ox Shoppe and our mission, we’d love for you to:

1️⃣ Visit the store and try some of our incredible jerky. Use code "OxShoppeFriends" for a special discount!

2️⃣ Check out our “Second Chances” and “Society Grows Great” swag—every purchase helps fuel our mission.

3️⃣ Follow Yoked, share our story, and spread the word!

4️⃣ Connect us with anyone involved in fundraising. Our program is stress-free, profitable for organizations, and ensures both product and money stay out of kids’ hands.

We appreciate you and want you to know that even after selling the building, we’re still working hard to change lives. We hope you’ll stay with us on this journey.

💪 Let’s get Yoked! 🔥

Yoked Jerky

02/18/2025

We reformatted our website; theoxshoppe.org

Please take a look and let us know what you think and where we can improve

02/04/2025

We are truly sorry there has been an interruption during the transition in Thompson.
In the meantime, if you are in Madison, stop by at the cafe between 6 and 2 to enjoy all your faves!

01/24/2025

While the coffee shop will continue operating next week, and seamlessly transition through the ownership change, the doors of the original Ox Shoppe space will close tonight at 6 for the last time.
The process of turning this building into a functional space again has been truly an amazing experience. We will forever be grateful to Dennis for his work in the store and his service to our customers. We are grateful to the community for your support and encouragement. We are also grateful to all of the vendors that sold product in the store. It was a pleasure working with you.
We are profoundly excited to see what Prima Dolce is going to do with this iconic building. More importantly, we are excited to focus on helping those for whom this entire organization was founded to help--as there is a mountain of work to be done.
Thank you again to everyone that used this place as a source of local food and gifts. It's truly been an honor.