Biggby Coffee, owned by local franchisees Curtis Grace and Keith Washington, is set to open its second location in southeastern Wisconsin. The new store will be situated in downtown Milwaukee’s Red Arrow Park, adjacent to the popular Slice of Ice skating rink.
The 1,000-square-foot cafe space was previously occupied by Starbucks for nearly 20 years before closing in November 2023. After a selection process, Milwaukee County Parks chose Biggby as the new food and beverage operator for the location.
Grace and Washington have experience operating coffee shops, having opened their first Biggby Coffee location in Franklin in 2021 through their entity Cream City Ventures LLC. They also have another location under development in Cudahy, scheduled to open in the first half of 2025.
The new store’s opening is significant, with a grand opening planned for November 25. Washington mentioned that things are “coming down to the wire” as they near completion, but the team has made progress despite some initial challenges. The construction process was more complex than expected due to the need for county and city approvals.
Despite increased construction costs, Biggby is excited about the opportunity to serve customers at Slice of Ice. The company aims to capitalize on foot traffic and brand exposure from the skating rink. Washington highlighted partnerships with local businesses, such as the Milwaukee Bucks and Milwaukee Admirals, to promote their logo and products.
Biggby emphasizes its commitment to being locally owned and operated, with 50% farm-direct coffee beans in their offerings. The team is eager to provide a welcoming environment for customers, offering a wide range of hot and cold drinks, including over 200 types of hot chocolates.
The company’s focus on empowering employees and local involvement sets them apart from larger chains. With its dedication to community engagement and quality products, Biggby Coffee is poised to establish itself as a strong presence in southeastern Wisconsin.
Source: https://biztimes.com/qa-biggby-coffee-owners-gear-up-for-opening-next-week-at-red-arrow-park