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SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 2024 THE N'WEST IOWA REVIEW/SHELDON, IA E2 BUSINESS Dykstra keeps grounded by opening coffee shop Faith-based barista got idea in high school BY RENEE WIELENGA RWIELENGA@NWESTIOWA.COM SIOUX CENTER—Business has been booming since one Sioux Center resident flipped the “Open” sign on her new business at the end of January. Twenty-one-year-old Gracie Dykstra is excited about the community’s response to New Grounds Coffee Co. located at 85 W. First St., which formerly housed Butlers Cafe & Coffee. “It’s been exciting,” Dykstra said. “Having people in the doors, making connections — I was looking forward to that and am excited about how it’s going.” Hours are 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday and Thursday; 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. On the drink menu are espressobased items such as lattes, cappuccinos, mochas, Americanos and macchiatos as well as brewed coffee, smoothies and lotus energy drinks. On the baked goods menu are muffins, cinnamon rolls, cookies and energy balls made with oatmeal and peanut butter. The lunch menu available 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. during business days includes four sandwich options. Dykstra’s love for coffee deepened in high school as she discovered all the varieties of espresso-based drinks while attending Western AT A GLANCE: Business: New Grounds Coffee Co. Owner: Gracie Dykstra Address: 85 W. First St., Sioux Center Hours: 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday and Thursday; 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. Lunch: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Phone: 712-722-4055 E-mail: newgroundscco@ gmail.com Online: Facebook and Instagram Christian High School in Hull. The idea of opening her own coffee shop came up while enrolled in two-year administrative assistant program at Dordt University in Sioux Center. “After the first year in the program I started thinking about owning my own business because I couldn’t see myself sitting in an office all day,” Dykstra said. “I wanted the business to have a faith-based atmosphere. The idea of a coffee shop kept coming back up in my mind.” Then, just a couple months before she graduated from Western Christian in May 2022, Habitué Coffeehouse & Bakery owner Cheryl Wells of Le Mars, came to speak to one of Dykstra’s classes. “She spoke about her coffeehouse Gracie Dykstra opened New Grounds Coffee Co. in the former Butlers Cafe & Coffee shop location in Sioux Center. Business hours are Monday-Saturday. New Grounds Coffee Co. owner Gracie Dykstra of Sioux Center tops a coffee drink with some whipped cream. Dykstra opened her coffee shop in January at 85 W. First St. in downtown Sioux Center. Photos by Renee Wielenga but also this ministry they have as well and it all just resonated with this idea I had,” Dykstra said. “I went up to talk with her after class, and she basically offered me a job on the spot, so that’s where I went to work after I graduated.” For a year and half, Dykstra gained firsthand barista and ministry experience sharing her work hours between the coffeehouse and The Living Center, which is a ministry center next door to the coffeehouse and houses a nonprofit called Side by Side Ministries. “Having that background knowledge by working in the coffee industry — seeing what works and what doesn’t, getting to know the products, the flow of the business and just being poured into and trained up in that was huge,” Dykstra said. “I could have lived out my dream of starting a coffee shop without that, but it would have been much harder. Looking back on it all, everything that’s led up to this point has truly been God’s plan for me in how the education and training all came together.” Dykstra did not realize just how soon God had in mind for her to open her own business. “While working at Habitué learning and growing, I was trusting God to provide a place for me that would be the right time and place,” she said. “When I heard about Butlers closing in August, I reached out to the owners of the building and started praying about if it was the right space and time. Personally, I didn’t think I would open a business at my age. I was unsure, so my family and I, we came and saw the building and I pressed into prayer to know if it was really something I should do and I felt a peace about doing it.” She officially said yes to the building and her dream in October. “I was trusting that what I didn’t know yet or understand the Lord will help me with and provide people to help me and He’s definitely done that,” Dykstra said. Friends and family supported Dykstra in helping paint and revamp the business’ interior to give it a lighter, more open vibe. She also worked through the hiring process to have one assistant manager and eight part-time staff. Leaning into her faith also led Dykstra to the name of her business. “While I was still at Dordt, I received an encouraging prayer and in that note, there was a sentence that talked about breaking ‘new grounds,’” Dykstra said. “I felt that would be a great fit for a coffee shop someday by combining my interest in coffee and faith.” That idea solidified into an official name after reading through The Message version of John 11:15b, which says, “you’re about to be given new grounds for believing” — a verse now printed on the walls inside the cafe. “I hope that this is a place people can connect not only with good coffee but with friends, community, even connect with Christ,” Dykstra said. She hopes to use the space for more praise and worship nights as she did on Good Friday evening as well as well continue to build community support — one of the main reasons she is excited to be located in Sioux Center. “In my heart, this is where I wanted to be because this community is so knit together, so supportive of small businesses,” Dykstra said. “I’m excited to meet more people through this business and provide a space to help others build community as well.”
SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 2024 THE N'WEST IOWA REVIEW/SHELDON, IA E3 Hospers, IA Hospers, IA SINCE FAMILY OWNED 1976 SINCE 1976 Den Hartog Industries is a family owned business is a providing family industry owned leading products ry leading for over 46 years! products Our TEAM is continuing to grow to meet our increasing customer demand. ader in plastics M is continuing to “ALWAYS AT YOUR SERVICE” g customer demand. denhartogindustries.com RVICE" FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1976 Den Hartog Industries is a family owned es.com FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1976 business providing industry leading products for over 46 years! A leader in plastics manufacturing! Our TEAM is continuing to grow to meet our increasing customer demand. Den Hartog Industries is a family owned
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