NEW YEAR, NEW OWNERS

THE GRIND COFFEE HOUSE PURCHASED BY LOCAL COUPLE

Above, Daren and Hali Holt pose in front of their new business venture – the formerly student run Grind Coffee House. Courtesy photo

Above, Daren and Hali Holt pose in front of their new business venture – the formerly student run Grind Coffee House. Courtesy photo

MANISTIQUE – After just over a month on the market, the formerly student-run Grind Coffee House has new owners. The establishment was placed for sale in November after Limestone Federal Credit Union, the entity which helped the coffee shop come to life, said it had “outgrown the business model of operating as student-run.”

Through youth programs, education, and involvement, LFCU found a “unique way” to engage young people in October 2015, when the credit union wrote a grant application outlining an idea of a student-operated small business. It was subsequently awarded a $20,000 Community Reinvestment Grant from the Michigan Credit Union Foundation.

Since officially opening in 2017, the business has grown and, according to LFCU CEO Jennifer Watson, has “surpassed initial expectations and is beyond the startup risk period. The Grind has been established in the community as a thriving small business, which has brought us to the decision to sell this business as a turn-key opportunity for an entrepreneur who can take the business to the next level. In its current form, it has outgrown the business model of operating as student run. We believe selling to an owner/ operator will allow continued growth while further developing the business to meet its full potential.”

Those new owners happen to be Hali and Daren Holt, Manistique residents who officially closed on the business Friday.

Hali, who was born and raised in Manistique, left the area to attend college, but soon returned to the area after realizing that her “heart was still in the small town I left behind.”

Daren, originally from Ohio, relocated to the area before retiring from the military.

The couple currently has three children, with one more expected in February.

“My family is deeply rooted to the area,” Hali explained. “Our family is our priority.”

Civic duty is also important to the couple, as Hali currently serves on the resource development committee for Habitat for Humanity – HiawathaLand and Daren spent time arranging a fall 2021 hunt in which disabled veterans could take part.

Their interest in starting a business? Hali said it was as simple as, “We love coffee and we loved what The Grind Coffee House stood for.”

“We always knew we wanted to create or build upon an existing business in this community,” she explained. “When The Grind came available for purchase, we knew we couldn’t let it pass us up.”

As for the next steps in their coffee-slinging venture, Hali said she and Daren will focus on building from the business’s solid foundation.

“[We will be] focusing on what we can do to improve and build upon an already successful business,” she explained. “We have some big ideas lined up and are elated to be able to share with the community.”

In the next year, Hali added that they will be focused on “education, consistency, evolving and taking any opportunity to give back more to the community.”

“Continuing education is important in any area of expertise, the coffee business being nothing short,” she explained. “We want to ensure consistency is a priority, to better serve our customers. This is the community I grew up in and my children are and will continue to grow up in, so the question is why wouldn’t we invest into something we believe in?”

As for all those familiar faces the community is used to seeing at the coffee shop? Hali said they intend to stay onboard.

“We are so thankful that all employees decided to stay on and support us during this transition,” she said. “Having the girls stay on is an invaluable asset, that we value. The Grind wouldn’t be what it is without the dedicated workers, they’ve already taught us so much in a short period.”

Hali added that, overall, she and Daren are excited to embark on this new adventure and are appreciative of all those who made it possible.

“My husband and I are thankful for this opportunity,” she said. “We want to express our sincerest gratitude to all that had a hand in making The Grind into what it is. A thank you to Limestone Federal Credit Union, employees of The Grind, the community, students and staff of Manistique Area Schools. A heartfelt thank you to Nicolet Bank in Manistique for allowing us to make this dream come to fruition. Lastly, to Grover Real Estate and Transnation Title Agency for the professional, easy, and smooth transition, we applaud you.”

Hali noted that any community feedback will be welcome in the coming weeks.

“Any and all feedback is welcomed and appreciated,” she said. “Have any requests? Send them our way. We want to hear from you. In the following weeks, we’ll announce a grand re-opening date, some fun announcements and giveaways.”

LFCU CEO Jennifer Watson added that the credit union is “very excited to have a buyer of this caliber to continue to expand the business while providing students opportunity to learn through this program.”

“We look forward to watching this venture continue to thrive under the Holt’s direction,” she added.

For more information on The Grind Coffee House, follow them on Facebook or Instagram.

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