Welcome to The Noteboook Cafe and our shop Millie McKeever's Vintage & Home Decor

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Built in 1875, this historic bank building houses The Notebook Cafe and Millie McKeever's Vintage & Home Decor. Located at 201 Antique City Drive, Walnut, Iowa, it's a place you won't want to miss.
Welcome! We're glad you're here. This beautiful historic 1875 bank building is home to The Notebook Cafe and Millie McKeever's Vintage & Home Decor. When guests enter the unique corner entry, they are greeted with 16' ceilings, 8' windows, original hardwood floors, and chandeliers. Guests also love the cathedral ceiling bank vault now turned into Esther's tea-for-two room.

The Notebook Cafe has been offering cafe brunches and lunches, devotions for women, and tours of the restored historic 1875 bank building since 2017. Our 149-year-old doors have welcomed over 3,000 women to our beautiful building in the quaint little town of Walnut, Iowa. 

The Notebook Cafe's shop, Millie McKeever's Vintage & Home Decor, is also located in the building. Named after the owner Shelly Thompson's grandmother, the cozy shop offers select vintage items paired with new home decor. Our much loved pure soy candles from The 5th Street Candle Co. are hand crafted from family recipes handed down through generations from Millie McKeever's family and loved throughout the United States. Guests can also enjoy a coffee, latte, tea, or gourmet hot cocoa from our coffee bar. This unique 149-year-old building will inspire you with ideas for your own home.
NEW BOOK RELEASE OCTOBER 2025
Preorder's June 2025
Heart of a Warrior -  A Legacy of Determination
By Shelly Thompson
What happens if we live our lives determined? Determined to pray without ceasing. Determined to trust God for all things. Determined to be filled with joy despite circumstances. Determined to share the gospel no matter the cost. Determined to listen for that still small voice. Determined to move in obedience without delay. Determined to make time for the word every single day. Determined to surrender…all that we have, and all that we are…our plans, our hopes, our dreams, our children, and our grandchildren…to almighty God. The One who raises people from the dead. The One who hung the stars. The one who gave us His one and only Son.

Determined. To live life God’s way. On God’s terms. Like Ruth…forsaking all else, but the call of God.

How would our lives look and the lives of our legacy if we lived with determination…on our knees, in church pews, in the Word…determined to have all that God promises for us and our legacy.

…and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call. Acts 2:38, 39. Let us be determined to receive the promise for us and for those who are far off…generations of our legacy we may never meet until heaven.  

Asking God for more than I can ask or imagine for all of us with the words of these pages (Ephesians 3:20).  I am Determined to live faithful to God first. I hope this book inspires and encourages you to join me. 

​Determined, Shelly

Click here to read the introduction. 

Available October 2025
Preorder's June 2025
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The 5th Street Candle Collection
Introducing a new candle to our line up...Sycamore Log Church Candle
These one-of-a-kind unique candles  were inspired from generations of family recipes and then created by a skilled local artesian candlemaker. Each candle has a simple brown tag containing the family recipe that inspired the candle and a small encouraging devotional of the back story behind the candle. The flames of faith that burn in our candles have been passed down from generation to generation. 

These are not just candles they tell a story. They're generational flames of faith. Handed down. Kept alive. For a time such as this. Just like the neighborhood on 5th Street where these candles were first a thought in a young girls heart years ago, when you light the flame, you'll remember...a place where your memories and 5th Street intersect as your home is filled with the scent of cherished memories and happiness.

These candles are special...because they've been created to honor real people, real lives, and real women who had a story to tell. Welcome to 5th Street, relax sweet friend, you've found a place that is warm and welcoming.

Click here for more information.
Hours Coming Up
Our shop in Walnut is OPEN on select days, come browse in our 1875 historic bank building. Enjoy a coffee, latte, gourmet hot cocoa, or tea from our coffee bar. You’ll find select vintage, new home decor, florals, our pure soy candles inspired by family recipes and hand poured in Walnut, jewelry, purses, and woman’s apparel. Need inspiration with your decorating idea…bring a photo, or a piece you want to decorate and I’ll give you some ideas.

JOIN ME ONLINE EACH TUESDAY NIGHT @ 7:00 PM FOR OUR FACEBOOK ONLINE SALE. Click here to visit Milile McKeever's Vintage & Home Decor Page
Books
​Books by The Notebook Cafe including our best seller 'Heart of a Warrior' - A Legacy of Faith by Shelly Thompson. Now in it's sixth printing, readers rave about 'Heart of a Warrior'. Karen Abercrombie, Miss Clara in the movie War Room, says this about 'Heart of a Warrior'...Shelly welcomes the reader in and she teaches, encourages and inspires through her own personal experiences. Because Shelly is such a gifted writer, you get to experience a forty-day journey that is masterfully painted with beautiful and rich imagery that honors the word of God as it stirs up the Warrior's heart!  This travel adventure back to the neighborhood of 5th street is sure to give you hope and encouragement. Click here for more information.
Gathering Spaces in our 1875 historical bank building
This beautiful historic 1875 bank building offers some unique options for gathering. Our Gathering Room offers guests a beautiful space with a 8' harvest table and fireside seating, or our Boarding Room Kitchen provides a feel for the era of 1875, but with all the modern conveniences. Guests also love 'Esther's Tea Room' our repurposed 148-year-old bank vault that is perfect for tea for two (or three). We can provide a light cafe lunch, or you can bring your own food/dessert in and enjoy. Call your friends and set up a meeting date soon! We're also the perfect place for your girlfriends Birthday parties, Bible Study groups, business meeting...or just a relaxing place to catch up and enjoy time with friends. It's always a good time to gather. Click here for more information.​
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About us.
Shelly Thompson is the Publisher for The Notebook Cafe -- Inspired Words for the Journey, and owner of Millie McKeever's Vintage & Home Decor with 201 Coffee Bar located in the quaint historic town of Walnut, Iowa. 'The Cafe' offers a place where women gather to share a time of fellowship, devotion, and a tour the circa 1875 historical bank building restored by Shelly and her husband. Shelly is the author of two books. Entwined; now in its fourth printing; and Heart of a Warrior; in its sixth printing. Taking a giant leap of faith Shelly left the corporate world in 2015 to pursue a dream God gave her of developing a monthly inspirational faith based online reading café of words and encouragement. Today, The Notebook Café reaches over one million people each month. Shelly has also developed The Notebook Cafe Woman's Conference and the women's retreat held in Branson, Missouri each November. Shelly and her husband, Dave, spend time with their family and many weekends working on home renovation projects…the current project is a Boarding Room Airbnb, The Hinckley, in their 1875 bank building in Walnut, Iowa.