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The Grind: 7 Brew Coffee Hustles to Spread Warmth Even During Cooler Weather

drive-thru only chain embraces working in wintry chill

With the drops in temperature and shift into the fall season, Eau Claire's neighborhood “Brewistas” are preparing for the upcoming winter weather. Unlike the other coffee shops that call the Chippewa Valley as home, 7 Brew strives to bring coffee directly to you all year round, so you never have to leave the comfortable warmth of your car ...

BY STUDENTS, FOR STUDENTS: Blugold Roast Keeps Brewing

born from a class project, local coffee company has become a staple on UW-Eau Claire campus

Waking up for an early morning is never easy, especially for a college student, so having easy access to caffeine is a luxury beyond comparison. Blugold Roast, a local coffee brand created in 2016 by entrepreneurial students, has planted its roots in the heart of Eau Claire’s campus – which makes getting an early morning fix that much easier ...

Opposites Attract: The Permanent Feline Residents of Mr. Kitty's Cat Cafe

sorry folks, Theo and Leo have already found their forever home

Along bustling South Farwell Street in downtown Eau Claire, you might hear the faint meows coming from Mr. Kitty's Cafe Cafe & Boutique. The cozy establishment is a new local favorite, understandably sought out due to the many cats within that are sourced from the Eau Claire Community Humane Association (ECCHA). All cats are available for adoption with the exception of two. While Mr. Kitty's is not a commercial kitchen, they offer percolated coffee, syrups, and other sealed drinks ...

Cleaner & Better Than Ever: Hiker Coffee

Eau Claire coffee roaster reformulates and rebrands, soon to be available across the country with retailer REI

This summer, the coffee roaster reintroduced itself as Hiker Coffee. Longtime supporters won’t be losing the chocolate-y, full-mouth notes and taste of Hiker’s coffee; the reformulation does not mean a complete 180º flavor flip but rather a recommitment to delivering an organic, clean coffee product ...

Nick’s Has Treats for Dogs – and People, Too

online dog treat business expands into coffee shop, further supporting communities and people with disabilities

When Nick Hinze was diagnosed with Spastic Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy when he was 11 months old, his mother Jennifer knew that she was going to play huge roles in Nick’s life. Little did she know that their path would include employment and a chance to change ...

THEY’VE BEAN IT ALL: Thoughts from Those We Trust With Our Espresso

some local baristas spill the beans on unusual orders

Coffee shop regulars often get to know the folks in charge of preparing their precious espresso elixir, and most have solidified their go-to order. I’m an iced latte drinker year-round myself, but our local baristas aim to please ...

Java Joints On Paper!

local sketchers capture snippets of the Valley's coffee culture

The Urban Sketchers see the world one sketch at a time. The Chippewa Valley's chapter of the global art movement and community captures people, places, and moments in time at local locations, including area coffee shops. Volume One asked members of the group if they would share some of their java culture sketches with us, and the talented locals...

Our Readers’ Favorite Coffee Spots, Roasters, and Baristas

results from the 2023 Best of the Chippewa Valley Poll

Each year thousands of readers vote in Volume One’s Best of the Chippewa Valley Poll. Here’s who 2023 voters chose as their favorite ...

RED FERN CAFE: A Greener Hit of Caffeine in Fall Creek

Red Fern Cafe introduces not only delicious coffee, but a unique partnership offering compostable cups

The magical coffee bean! Coffee is largely considered the elixir of life for many Chippewa Valley residents, and Julie Stautz of Fall Creek would agree. Julie is the owner of the Red Fern Cafe ...

SPILLING THE BEANS: Hikers Brew Coffee Expands in E.C.

local coffee roaster company grows with new warehouse, equipment

While their new warehouse may look unassuming from the outside, the inside of Hikers Brew Coffee’s new home is like a geode, sparkling. New ready-to-brew equipment lines the steel walls, an updated HVAC system up above. Hikers Brew’s new building at 2602 W Frank St...