Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
A new drive-thru coffee shop was literally dropped in place on Thursday morning at 1709 Paul Bunyan Drive NW. The modular building was assembled in Kansas and delivered to Bemidji, then set in place with a crane.
"We plan to open this winter as quick as we can," said Max Wilson, who owns the Minnesota and North Dakota franchise rights for 7 Brew Drive Thru Coffee. Bemidji's will be the first of his locations to open.
The company was founded in 2017 when Ron Crume opened its first location in Rogers, Arkansas, and has since grown to more than 250 locations nationwide. QSR Magazine, a business-to-business publication that covers the quick-service and fast-casual restaurant industry, named 7 Brew its Breakout Brand of the Year for 2023. The drive-thru-only business serves coffee, smoothies, teas, chillers and 7 Energy, an energy drink that can be infused with many flavor combinations.
Wilson, who plans to move to the Bemidji area from Wichita, Kan., said he remembers visiting here with his family on vacation trips to Lakes Country.
"We traveled through Bemidji a bunch," Wilson said. "I've always loved the area. We have found a spot that seems perfect for our first location."
Wilson became familiar with the 7 Brew concept because his father has built most of the modular units for the company from a plant in Haven, Kan.
"We just fell in love with the operation style and the culture," Wilson said. "It's so much about the personal connection we make with everybody who comes through. It's about speed and efficiency. Where some of our competitors have a single line and quite a wait, we've not done our jobs right if it takes you more than five minutes for you to get your coffee, and if you haven't had a pleasant conversation on the way."
Wilson said he has hired Bemidji resident John Theroux as manager and is in the process of recruiting baristas. Site work began earlier this fall.
"We'll be ready to go once we get all our equipment in there and fixtures hooked up," Wilson said.