The St. Cloud area is home to many locations of favorite coffee chains like Starbucks, Caribou Coffee and Scooter's Coffee. However, the area also boasts its fair share of independently-run coffee shops that can offer visitors a special local touch and unique menu items.
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District Coffee
Friends and local residents Amie Danielson and Molly Windfeldt opened District Coffee in south St. Cloud last fall, following their dream of creating a unique coffee shop experience and gathering space for the community. District Coffee's menu includes both coffee and non-coffee options, ranging from pour-overs and lattes to teas and smoothies. They also have an extensive food menu, with sandwiches and sweet or savory crepes.
District Coffee is open 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday at 3035 Roosevelt Road in St. Cloud.
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Rock Creek Coffeehouse
Rock Creek Coffeehouse in downtown Sauk Rapids provides visitors with a cozy environment to enjoy their unique menu items like a cinnamon roll latte or turtle oddie, a chocolate and caramel mocha. They also make their classic Torpedo Joe, the most caffeinated drink on the menu due to a mix of their daily brew and espresso shots. Rock Creek recently launched their fall seasonal menu, which includes a pumpkin bread chai, maple nut latte and apple pie breve.
Rock Creek Coffeehouse is located at 214 Second Ave. N. in Sauk Rapids. It is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
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The Local Blend
St. Joseph's The Local Blend offers a traditional coffee shop atmosphere, complete with a chalkboard menu on the wall. The coffee shop specializes in organic, local products, and they use St. Cloud roastery Muggsy’s Beans. The Local Blend also makes its pastries, soups and breads in its on-site kitchen. While this coffee shop largely focuses on coffee and food items like quiches and sandwiches, it also has a wine menu and hosts events.
The Local Blend is located at 19 West Minnesota St. in St. Joseph. It is open 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
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Central Grind
Central Grind Coffeehouse may be one of the newest independent coffee shop additions to the area, having opened in St. Augusta in February. While Central Grind offers typical coffee drinks, they also have a unique menu with specialty items like their Red Bull infusions, where customers can add the energy drink to items like a strawberry matcha or lavender lemonade. They have also started serving a fall menu, which includes a salted caramel cold press, pumpkin spice macchiato and pumpkin butter pecan latte.
Cent ral Grind is located at 24086 MN Hwy. 15 in St. Augusta and is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
Kinder Coffee Lab
St. Cloud roastery Kinder Coffee Lab uses small-batch roasting to create a range of coffee options for customers to buy and brew at home, though they also serve some items in person. Their menu includes a range of coffee drinks, like espressos, Americanos and cold and nitro brews. They also offer some non-coffee teas and refreshers, as well as pastries. Customers can sign up for Kinder Coffee's monthly subscription to receive deliveries of their roasted beans at home.
Kinder Coffee Lab is located at 203 Cooper Ave. N. #350 in St. Cloud. It is open 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday.
Teagan King covers business and development for the St. Cloud Times. She can be reached at teking@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: St. Cloud is home to several local coffee spots. Here are 5 to check out
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