Caffeinated Comeback: 5 Things You Didn’t Know About This Downtown Gem

Tucked between St. John’s Block and Level 10 in downtown Grand Forks, The Ember Coffeehouse is a spacious and modern coffee shop that has recently reopened. While you may have seen posts on Instagram or peered in the window passing by on the street, you may not know the building’s rich history and the business’s long-standing impact on the community of Grand Forks.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Grand Forks in March of 2020, many local client-facing businesses experienced a severe reduction in traffic or complete shutdown. After being open for nearly seven years, the Ember Coffeehouse closed its doors on March 14^th, 2020. Plans to reopen the business began almost immediately as community members rallied together to bring the Ember not just back to its original state, but better than ever. Almost three years later, the Ember Leadership Board hired the current manager and renovations were underway. The Ember got a complete facelift during the summer of 2023 – new appliances, paint, furniture, and equipment reimagined the space to create a modern, neutral, and inviting feel. On September 16, 2023, the Ember opened its doors to the public for the first time in three and a half years and business has been booming ever since. While there have been many internal and cosmetic changes to the space, the heart of the business remains the same. Before you give it a try, here’s five things you may not have known about the Ember Coffeehouse.

Aside from the full-time manager, the Ember is run by volunteers in the community who are passionate about creating community through coffee and serving greater Grand Forks. Everything from barista to cash register, cleaners, event coordinators, and dish washers. This started because of the coffeehouse’s non-profit status and connection to Freedom Church, located just across the street at 308 Demers Ave. Years ago, the Ember was made possible because of volunteers from Freedom Church that kept it open every day, and that legacy is still alive today. The Ember loves its volunteers and depends on them to bring great coffee to the community, and it is largely because of the generosity and service of Freedom Church members that this incredible space is open again.

Learn more about volunteering here!

Before the building was owned by Freedom Church, The Ember was the home of Scott’s Music. The Ember did their best to preserve some of the history of the building, from the stage for live music performances and events, to the music notes etched into the railings of the mezzanine. Some elements of the business still operate within the Ember, but most of Scott’s Music relocated. They are still providing the Grand Forks community with musical instrument rentals and orchestra lessons and the Ember will be forever thankful for their service to the community and making this building what it is today.

In the Ember’s humble beginnings, it was far from a fully functional coffeehouse. A few community members of Freedom Church used the space on Friday and Saturday nights to host live music and serve free black coffee. The house would be packed with standing room only as crowds poured in for live music and a free cup of coffee, often staying until 2am or later enjoying the shows. The original goal of the Ember was to provide creative venue space that was a safe and welcoming alternative to the downtown bar scene, and it quickly gained popularity among small bands looking for a cheap venue to perform. The Ember is still open Saturdays until 9pm for this same purpose, with open mic nights and live music, so be on the lookout for the next event!

Interested in hosting an event at the Ember? The other half of the building, located at 6 N Third St, holds a weekly food drive on Thursdays from 10-11am, and is available to rent by hour or at a daily rate. It holds around 50 people comfortably, so it is great for birthday parties, baby showers, business meetings, and so much more. The space has tables and chairs to use free of charge and you can even purchase a pot of coffee for your event. The space used to hold Freedom Church services but is now available to the public for use. There is also a heavy discount for qualifying non-profits in the community to use the space. Schedule your next event at the Ember Coffeehouse!

For parents of young kids, sitting down for a coffee with a friend can require more than finding a time that works for you both to meet. Looking for entertainment or childcare in coffee shops can be difficult, but the Ember had that in mind during the renovation process. What used to be an office space upstairs is now a kid’s play space. There are lots of toys, coloring pages, and a big food truck to play with. It also has a few benches inside to sit on if parents choose to be in there with their kids. Since opening day, whenever families come to the Ember, the first thing kids do is run upstairs and play!

Above all else, the Ember’s goal is to promote authentic community by way of coffee. If you need to come rest, relax, study, hang out, chat, or have fun over a great cup of coffee, the Ember is the place to go. They are currently open Wednesday – Saturday, so check them out in person, or if you have any questions, you can email [email protected] to get more information.