Today we’d like to introduce you to Juliann Johnson.
Hi Juliann, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Owning a coffee shop had been a dream of mine for years. It was something that always intrigued me. Seven years ago, when our family moved to Cologne, MN, the first words out of my mouth were, “This town needs a coffee shop.” About a year ago, I reached a point in my nursing career and life where it made sense to go for it and not look back. When looking for a location, I was fortunate enough to find the perfect space only a block from my home! The space I found used to be a bar located in a building which was built in 1893. The location is really important to the Cologne community as many locals used it sort of as a community gathering space. After finding the location, I did extensive research and spoke with many people who were in the coffee industry. After months of planning, the space was “white boxed” and ready for painting, final internal design, and finishing work. It took only three months of finishing work to be able to open. Overall, it has taken a lot of trial and error and I’m still learning every day.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Yes and no. Some of the building challenges I anticipated turned out to not be as big of an issue as I thought. The real obstacles that came up were supply chain related. With an established opening date, the delivery of equipment became an issue. To try and solve this, I purchased a few pieces of used equipment. One piece was a used automatic espresso machine. After spending an inordinate amount of time trying to make the espresso machine work, I decided to scrap it and buy a new manual unit – only one week before our opening date! This actually turned out to be a blessing. The manual espresso machine has allowed more control over the espresso making process and has Logan Pass Coffeehouse providing its clientele with a consistently high-quality product. Over time, Logan Pass Coffeehouse has evolved based on customer and community needs and wants.
As you know, we’re big fans of Logan Pass Coffeehouse. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Logan Pass Coffeehouse uses organic locally roasted fair trade coffee beans. The focus has been and will be choosing high-quality ingredients for our espresso drinks. Also, it has become a space that has been bringing our community together. Logan Pass Coffeehouse has provided a much needed space for people to work, socialize, and study. It has transformed from a place to grab a drink to a place for community events, such as our seasonal farmers market and crafting events. I am most proud of how the branding has been so flexible. I am always trying to switch it up and keep things fresh.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
First, I would credit my husband for his endless support and ideas. When I presented this idea to my husband, he was immediately “all in.” He put in endless hours finishing the space, installing equipment, working with equipment suppliers, and providing overall maintenance since opening.
Second, I was inspired by other small local coffee shops. Without experiencing their espresso drinks, food offerings, and ambience – I don’t think I would have been as motivated to open a coffee shop that would meet customers’ needs and wants.
Third, a friend of my husband, is a food and beverage consultant who was a VP at one of the major coffee chains. With his expertise and knowledge of the industry, he guided me in everything from the basics of espresso size offerings to the importance of using high-quality water in making espresso drinks. He has been invaluable.
Finally, the customers and community. The community has been so welcoming and supportive. They want so badly for me to succeed. And, our customers have shown their support by voting Logan Pass Coffeehouse “2022 – The Best Coffee Shop” in Carver County, MN. This after only being open for 4 months!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.loganpasscoffeehouse.com
- Instagram: LoganPassCoffeehouse
- Facebook: Logan Pass Coffeehouse
