All's well at Groundswell
New ownership at local coffee spot returns focus to community.
Maxwell Nesterak
Issue date: 1/26/10 Section: Local
Close runner-ups included Arora and Bean Me Up Shotty.
"We need to make a drink called Bean Me Up Shotty," Titus said. "I love it."
Along with the new name, Groundswell offers a new food menu, which seems to be attracting new customers.
"This is the first time I've been here for four years," St. Paul resident Jim Manion said. "We like the looks of that menu. Especially the tamales."
Community attachment shows itself in every corner of the shop. Local art hangs on the walls, a piece of a mural painted by a neighbor was saved through the redecoration and a turn table, donated by a customer, waits in the back to be played.
"People keep donating records," Titus said. "They're like, 'I think I have a bunch of records in my basement.'"
Dohrmann had previously worked as a wilderness instructor with youth in the correctional system but said his schedule of three weeks on, and three weeks off left him emotionally drained and socially disconnected. Serendipity led Dohrmann to his manger position at Groundswell.
"I was looking to get hooked into [a] community and I thought about owning a coffee shop," Dohrmann said. "Then I was approached by Tim, who asked if I was interested in partnering up with him. I went from being completely displaced from community and really wanting community to now I'm working a mile and a half from my home and really plugged in."
Groundswell plans on hosting live music, various meetings and poetry readings, Dohrmann said.
"Groundswell will be looking for art in the next month, so if any Hamline students want a show, definitely contact us," Arnold said.
Groundswell coffee is located at 1342 Thomas Avenue, St. Paul, MN. (651) 645-6466. Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday - Saturday, 6:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday
"We need to make a drink called Bean Me Up Shotty," Titus said. "I love it."
Along with the new name, Groundswell offers a new food menu, which seems to be attracting new customers.
"This is the first time I've been here for four years," St. Paul resident Jim Manion said. "We like the looks of that menu. Especially the tamales."
Community attachment shows itself in every corner of the shop. Local art hangs on the walls, a piece of a mural painted by a neighbor was saved through the redecoration and a turn table, donated by a customer, waits in the back to be played.
"People keep donating records," Titus said. "They're like, 'I think I have a bunch of records in my basement.'"
Dohrmann had previously worked as a wilderness instructor with youth in the correctional system but said his schedule of three weeks on, and three weeks off left him emotionally drained and socially disconnected. Serendipity led Dohrmann to his manger position at Groundswell.
"I was looking to get hooked into [a] community and I thought about owning a coffee shop," Dohrmann said. "Then I was approached by Tim, who asked if I was interested in partnering up with him. I went from being completely displaced from community and really wanting community to now I'm working a mile and a half from my home and really plugged in."
Groundswell plans on hosting live music, various meetings and poetry readings, Dohrmann said.
"Groundswell will be looking for art in the next month, so if any Hamline students want a show, definitely contact us," Arnold said.
Groundswell coffee is located at 1342 Thomas Avenue, St. Paul, MN. (651) 645-6466. Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday - Saturday, 6:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Leticia Stabrino
posted 2/03/10 @ 12:36 PM CST
I have been a customer of this coffe shop since it first opened as Factory Bean. I always liked it (and the next door wonderful yarn store), I enjoyed it before having my baby and after because it has a great children's area. (Continued…)
Aaron Kaase
posted 2/14/10 @ 8:21 AM CST
The third paragraph of this article incorrectly identifies J&S Bean Factory as the previous store. The store immediately previous to Groundswell Coffee was called "Midway Cafe". (Continued…)
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