Today we’d like to introduce you to Andy Lyon.
Hi Andy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up outside of St. Paul, MN and came to the University of North Dakota for college. I did a year of college ministry after graduation and have had a passion for specialty coffee and sharing about my faith in Jesus since early college. I was hired by Freedom Church in 2023 to bring these two areas of passion together to spearhead the relaunch of the Ember Coffeehouse
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Challenges we have faced include slower small town traffic/lack of coffee culture, startup costs for licensing and equipment, mission & vision crafting, and community networking.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
The Ember Coffeehouse is a non profit coffee shop owned and operated by Freedom Church in downtown Grand Forks, ND.
I reopened the Ember after a temporary closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a change of management. We have been open again and operating 6 days a week since Sept. 2023. The Ember exists to provide a community gathering space that serves excellent coffee, inspires creativity, and fosters authentic relationships in our city. We do this through our team of volunteer baristas, monthly nonprofit giveback programs, and use of our event space to host community gatherings.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
You can come visit us when you’re in Grand Forks, or spread the word about what we do to serve and love the community. Giving financially for smaller and bigger projects like a commercial dishwasher, lighting for our event space, etc. is also a possibility!
Contact Info:
- Website: theembercoffeehouse.com
- Instagram: @theembercoffeehouse
- Facebook: @theembercoffeehouse
