Lotus Up Espresso & Deli

05/07/2026

Sixteen years.

Honestly, it’s hard to even put into words what this moment feels like.

The papers have officially been handed over to the lawyers, and with that, this chapter of Lotus Up in Lead is coming to a close. Bittersweet doesn’t even begin to describe it.

What was built here was never just a coffee shop. It became a place of connection, community, laughter, growth, tears, healing, dreaming, and belonging. So many conversations happened inside these walls. So many lives crossed paths here. Including my own.

To the community of Lead — thank you.
Thank you for showing up year after year. Thank you for supporting my dreams, my business, my ideas, my wild community projects, and honestly… my growth as a human being. Without you, none of this would have been possible.

To every employee who ever worked beside me: you were incredible. Every single one of you. I always said I had the best staff, and I meant it. You brought heart into this building every day, and people felt it.

To every tenant who shared this building with me — thank you for helping carry something that was never small. This building was built for community, by community, and I’m deeply grateful for every partnership and lesson along the way.

As I’ve been packing, I found an entire tote full of thank-you cards. Notes from little kids, adults, travelers, locals… reminders of moments that mattered to people. And it hit me deeply.

Please continue telling people you appreciate them.
Please continue choosing kindness.
Words matter more than we realize.

At this point, I don’t fully know where my journey goes next — but I do know this: I’m excited for it.

I started school for psychology on October 1st. I’ll continue coaching, creating programs, and building spaces that help people feel seen and connected. But this next chapter is also about breathing. Taking care of my body. My spirit. Spending time with my daughters. Living life differently.

And next week, I head to Greece with my amazing partner. A man who came into my life unexpectedly and became such an incredible source of love and support through one of the hardest seasons of my life. I’m endlessly grateful for him.

This ending is also a blessing.
A release.
A new beginning.

Lotus Up may no longer be here in Lead… but the love created here will always remain.

Thank you for 16 beautiful years. ❤️

05/02/2026

Who loves Lotus? I have some left that needs to go too much for me to drink on my own!
Who can we give these two first come first serve! I’ll be here for today and tomorrow at the 95 East Main St.

04/22/2026

It’s been a bit of a roller coaster over here… 🎢

A lot of unknowns, a lot of conversations, and some moments that have asked me to slow down, sit in it, and trust the process. If I’m being honest—there’s been some grief and frustration mixed in too.

Right now, we’re in a “maybe” season.

✨ Maybe a June 1st reopening ✨

And while things are still unfolding, one thing I do know is this:

If we open—we’re going to need our people.

If you’ve ever wanted to be part of a place where:
☕ you get to make someone’s day
☕ you work alongside good humans
☕ and you’re part of something that feels bigger than just a job

We’ll be hiring for the summer season 💛

This space has always been about community, connection, and showing up for each other—and if the doors open again, that’s exactly what we’ll build.

If that feels like something you want to be part of (or you know someone who would), send me a message.

Holding this all with hope… and a lot of trust ✨

03/20/2026

A few items

03/19/2026

Hi friends 🤍

I wanted to share a quick note for any nonprofits in our community to clarify on my video I posted.

As many of you know, Lotus Up has always had a donation request form available on our website. As we move through these next couple of weeks and work through current inventory, I want to gently invite organizations to fill out that form if you are in need.

This process helps me stay organized, keep things formal, and ensure I have the proper documentation in place as I navigate what we’re able to give.

Over the next few weeks, I will be going through the requests and thoughtfully matching them with items that have not been sold. My hope is that anything remaining can still serve a meaningful purpose within our community 🤍

If this speaks to you or an organization you’re connected to, you can find the form here:
👉 www.lotusuplead.com (Giving Back tab)

Then email me at [email protected]

Thank you for allowing me to continue giving in a way that feels intentional, respectful, and aligned—even in the unknown.

With gratitude 🤍
Jamie

Home About Us Menu Giving Back Lotus Up espresso and deli Serving our community since 2012 See Menu 7 Lotus Up is temporarily closed. Visit our page for updates. Coffee with a view Relax with a cup of coffee on our expansive deck, overlooking the Open Cut and Manuel Brothers Park. Lotus Up....

03/19/2026

Hi friends 🤍

I wanted to share a little more with you as we move through this together. These are just some of the items we currently have available—things that we would love to see go to use in our community rather than sit during this season of uncertainty.

You’ll see a mix of products that supported our day-to-day operations and catering… and while it’s not easy to open up this part of the process, it does feel aligned to make sure these items can still serve a purpose.

At this time, we are not selling any equipment or furniture. We are holding onto hope and giving space for what May may bring. If, for some reason, we are not able to reopen, we will gently step into that next phase and share more at that time.

There’s a lot of unknown right now… and I’m doing my best to lead with honesty, care, and intention—both for this business that has meant so much to me, and for the community that has grown alongside it.

If you see something you could use, or know someone who could benefit, please reach out to me personally or through the Lotus Up page.

Thank you for continuing to hold space, to support, and to walk with me through the unknown. That means more than I can fully put into words 🤍

01/22/2026

I’ve been sitting with this decision about the Handley Center, and I wanted to share my thoughts from a place of care, not criticism.
At the heart of this conversation isn’t just a building. It’s a deeper question:
What kind of community do we want Lead to be—now and in the future?
Rural sustainability doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built through people, families, and places that bring generations together. Recreation centers like the Handley Center are more than programs and line items—they are spaces where kids grow, seniors stay active, families connect, and community is practiced year-round.
The reality is hard to ignore. Main Street is quieter. Businesses are leaving. People are moving on—myself included. That doesn’t come from one decision, but from a series of choices over time. And this moment feels like one of those crossroads.
I’ve always believed that young families are essential to rural communities. They support our elders, bring energy, volunteerism, and long-term stability. If we want Lead to thrive—not just survive—we need places that support children, working parents, and multigenerational connection. That belief is the same reason I built Lotus Up: old teaching young, young teaching old. Community doesn’t happen without intentional spaces.
I understand that change is necessary. I understand budgets are real. But I also believe it’s important to ask thoughtful, honest questions:
What is the greater good for the whole community?
What are our biggest challenges—and just as importantly, what are our greatest assets?
If we oppose the Handley Center, what is the alternative vision for supporting families and community health?
I no longer have a “dog in the fight.” My path is taking me elsewhere. But I still care deeply about young families, rural development, and the dream I once had for Lead to thrive. Watching it slowly dwindle has been heartbreaking.
If I were staying, I would hate to see the Handley Center close. It feels like another step away from the kind of community many of us worked so hard to build.
This isn’t about being loud or right. It’s about being thoughtful.
It’s about asking better questions.
And it’s about choosing the future we want our children—and their children—to inherit.
I hope we can look at this decision with compassion, curiosity, and a long-term lens for what truly sustains a rural community.
Love, Jamie Gilcrease

We will be asking for our funding to be reinstated, please help us fill the room!!!
If you are not able to attend, here’s a way to help, in City or Out of Town, we want to hear from the whole comminity.
Office hours 9-3, M-F to sign the petiion in person- Bless you all-Dar

Join in our online petition here... https://forms.gle/8iTnRL9wJPbgANyL7

12/10/2025

✨ An Evening of Gratitude at Lotus Up with Jamie Gilcrease and Sarah Kryger ✨

📍 95 East Main Street, Lead, SD 57754
📅 December 18th
⏰ 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM

My heart is so excited to open the doors of Lotus Up once again for a night filled with connection, warmth, and gratitude. If you’ve been missing the Lotus Up flavor — the love, the energy, the magic poured into every cup — this is a night you won’t want to miss.

I’ll be behind the bar from 6:30–7:00 PM, serving drinks and featuring a special holiday latte:
🎄 The Eggnog ButterRum Latte — a cozy little hug in a cup.

We are asking guests to bring a wrapped gift—something that brings you joy — for our Gift Exchange.
Everyone will go home with a gift from someone else in the room.

And please hear this with your whole heart:
If you want to join us but cannot bring a gift, do not let that stop you.
Message me privately — I have extra gifts ready because no one gets left out at Lotus Up. Ever.

Come sit with us.
Come sip with us.
Come connect with us.
Let’s close out the year in gratitude, community, and a little Lotus magic.

💛✨ Hope to see you on December 18th.

12/05/2025