2023 People in Business

BusinesS -people in-

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wadena pioneer journal Thursday, August 10, 2023

Nicole Stracek / People In Business

Owly Bean Roasters head roaster and owner Kyle Hagen stands in front of his Diedrich roasting machine where he spends three to four days a week roasting coffee beans.

Not your average cup of Joe

Owly Bean Roasters brings ethically sourced and freshly roasted beans to Wadena Hagen also owns Owly Coffee Company, both located in Wadena. Cornering the coffee niche wasn’t always on Hagen’s If you’re a little owly in the morning before you’ve had your coffee, Owly Bean agenda but after opening Owly Coffee Company in 2017, the next best thing was Roasters gets it, and they have some freshly roasted coffee beans to back it up. procuring and roasting his own coffee beans.

Kyle Hagen, head roaster and owner But first, he had to learn how to roast. of Owly Bean Roasters, is the reason for “I first found out who makes the the unmistakable smell of coffee wafting roasting machines and through that throughout downtown. Hagen’s brother research, I found Diedrich Roasters.

Jeremy is co-owner but works full-time They’re basically 100% made in the for Kern Laser Systems and helps out U.S., and their world headquarters are when needed. in Idaho. So I flew out there after I had “His work ethic is outstanding, and I purchased a roaster and took a threeknew he would be more into a behindday training and informational welcome the-scenes ownership style due to his full-time job. He fixes, builds, and when to roasting class,” Hagen said.

Next up on the agenda was finding large coffee orders come in, he is right there with me doing all the things. We are the beans. After doing some research on where to purchase high-quality coffee a team with the perfect complementary beans, Hagen came across the company skill sets,” Hagen said.

Genuine Origin.

In addition to Owly Bean Roasters,

By Nicole Stracek For People In Business

Family.

Family.

Friends.

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Community.

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OWLY BEAN: Page 4

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2 | 2023 People in Business | Thursday, August 10, 2023 | wadena pioneer journal

Revolutionary fashion

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At 1776 Clothing Co., things couldn't be better

By Frank Lee For People In Business Paulette Ohm didn’t start a revolution. But she’s keeping one alive.

“I’ve always loved fashion,” said Ohm, a 52-year-old from north of Bluffton whose husband is a Wadena native.

The second owner of the 1776 Clothing Co. relocated the clothing boutique last year from its original location across from Drastic Measures Brewing next to the Cozy Theatre a few blocks away.

And how are things going a year later?

Couldn’t be better, according to Ohm, who still loves the downtown setting and new site after making the decision to move into the rental space that was home to a photo studio and most recently a business called Make Me Wine.

“This is an ideal location,” Ohm said. “It’s cozy, it’s homey, it’s got great characteristics to it.”

Frank Lee / People In Business Ohm said her store on Paulette Ohm owns 1776 Clothing Co., a downtown Wadena clothing boutique located next to the Cozy Theatre.

Jefferson Street offers what she described as “fashionable, reasonably priced and comfortable” clothing and accessories.

The location was the previous and longtime home of Rex McDonald Studio. After businessman Don Hoffman sold the building to A & B Estates LLC, Ohm took over the lease at the spot.

“It was initially called ‘1776 the Clothing Revolution’ – that’s what Cheryl (Helms) had named it,” Ohm said.

Frank Lee / People In Business “People knew it as that, and that’s why we kept The 1776 Clothing Co., a downtown boutique owned the name … but changed by Paulette Ohm, is located next to the Cozy Theatre it to ‘1776 Clothing Co.’”.

Arvig for many years in lion, and the industry is Ohm said another sales and customer serforecast to show positive reason she did not drasvice. She never owned a growth, according to tically change the name Wadena Pioneer Journal file photo business. But it was full Statista.com, and reveafter she bought it in The 1776 Clothing Co. relocated from its original location across from Drastic speed ahead for the Navy nue was estimated to rise 2018 was because she Measures Brewing to a leased retail space adjacent to the Cozy Theatre. veteran when she decid- to almost $2 trillion by and her husband had ed to purchase the 1776 2027. served in the military Clothing Co. to a new doors in May – a day plans to keep it open “It’s rewarding and and liked the connection. Clothing Co. before Mother’s Day – until she retires to perowner.

“It involves a lot more challenging,” Ohm said “We were both Navy. in the same leased retail haps leave to someone The 1776 Clothing Co. than I ever anticipated,” of the industry. “My phi- else.

He’s retired. I did one space previously occuis located at 215 JefferOhm said. “You make all losophy has always been tour,” Ohm said. “He pied by Ohm at the cor- son St. S., adjacent to “People realize what the decisions, which can – and it will always be was a fire control man, the small towns have to ner of Jefferson Street the Cozy Theatre. Call be daunting. … But I love – that it takes everybody offer: the value of havand I was an operations and Aldrich Avenue.

218-430-0041 or email to make a community specialist. … My husband it when customers feel “I think it’s every ing everybody here and Paulette1776clothinggood about what they successful.

One personal did 22 years in the milbusiness owner’s legsupporting one anothco@gmail.com for more have after purchasing failure does not make me er,” Ohm said of how itary.” acy that they want to information. Or find something from me.” more successful.”

Ohm’s retail backpass the business on her clothing store surthe store on Facebook In 2022, the revenue The 1776 Clothing Co. ground includes workto someone else,” Ohm vived the pandemic. at www.facebook.com/ of the global apparel is solely operated by said of someday retiring at J.C. Penney Co. For example, Blissful market reached $1.5 tril- Ohm. But she said she ing and selling the 1776 1776clothingcompany.

A Boutique opened its for many years and for

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| 2023 People in Business | 3

New location, new spaces, same great books

The Wadena City Library opens the doors at its new location

By Nicole Stracek For People In Business The highly anticipated grand opening of the new Wadena City Library took place on Tuesday, Aug. 1, unveiling the new building to the community. Book lovers and community members alike were eager to tour the new location and learn more about the additional spaces and amenities.

Located in the former First National Bank of Wadena building at 210 First St. SW, the new location offers the same great books but with additional spaces and amenities. The exterior of the building includes gardens planted by Friends of the Library, and a new art installation by local sculptor Brad Wegscheid is situated outside on the north end of the building.

Branch Manager Renee Frethem said the new building is a great space to expand upon services that the library can offer the community.

“Libraries are always evolving, so we’re not just about the books. We are always trying to be a community hub, and we are always trying to have the ability to evolve into whatever the community needs,” she said.

Additional services such as the drive-up window and selfcheckout station are new, with Frethem stating that she hopes people enjoy the benefit of a drive-up window

for rentals. The new drop-off and pick-up book area reflects the additional conveniences that the new building offers.

New cozy spaces are located throughout the building thanks to the open layout of the old bank building designed to encourage everyone to stop by and stay a while. Computer stations are included within the building and free wifi is available.

Teens can hunker down with a good book in the new young adult enclosed space, while younger children can move freely in a dedicated space packed full of books and activities. The library also provides learning computers with software that offers free literacy-focused digital learning solutions for early learners through a variety of apps, learning games and activities.

Commissioned artwork funded by the Legacy Amendment by artist Amber Fletshock hangs above the learning computers, while one of the vaults has been transformed into a reading nook.

Another piece designed

by Fletshock is also displayed inside the library.

Additional spaces include meeting rooms, a maker’s space, and a small board room and an office for Frethem. These spaces are separate from the main part of the library, giving the

Above: The exterior of the new Wadena City Library.

The building formerly housed the First National Bank of Wadena. Nicole Stracek / People In Business Right: Local artist Brad Wegscheid stands next to a sculpture that he donated to the new city library.

Contributed photo

“Libraries are always evolving, so we’re not just about the books.”

-Renee Frethem, Branch Manager community additional privacy to hold meetings and other events. The meeting rooms will be open after library hours and prices for rentals have not been set yet by the city, but nonprofits can utilize the rooms at no cost.

With spaces in mind, the new location includes a large basement, and although it is currently being utilized as storage space, Frethem said there are plans to potentially use it as an escape room.

Nicole Stracek / People In Business

Branch Manager Renee Frethem hands the building plans from the old library to Mayor George Deiss.

More room and new spaces also allow for additional offerings available for the public to enjoy. Frethem said she is busy bringing classes and events to the community including Paul Bunyan Loggin’ Legends & Lore with David Ward on Aug. 15, and local sculpture artist Kent Scheer will be hosting a class series in the new makerspace on brass rubbings coming up in September.

The concept of brass rubbings stems from Europe, and has become an artform that has ancient roots.

Churches and cathedrals throughout Europe and England would display intricate carved brass plaques on the exteriors as memorials to the lords and ladies entombed inside.

Thanks to the generosity of the Lamson Family Trust through the UCC Church of Wadena, Scheer was able to purchase some brasses which are on display at Green Island in Wadena, and will be used for the upcoming class sessions.

Scheer was also able to purchase the traditional papers and tools needed that will be provided during the

60-90 minute classes slated to take place this fall and winter. The brass rubbing class is also free of charge and will include brasses with butterflies, dragonflies, woodpecker and traditional lords and ladies as well as more

intricate Celtic designs.

“The joy of having the experience in the new library in the makerspace is exciting because these sessions can help introduce new hobbies for people in the community,” Scheer said.

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4 | 2023 People in Business | Thursday, August 10, 2023 | wadena pioneer journal

OWLY BEAN From Page 1

Genuine Origin is a small organic coffee bean company that incorporates a program called the Volcafe Way. The Volcafe Way is a system designed to maximize farmer prosperity and to ensure environmental and social integrity goes into procuring coffee beans from farmers.

“Genuine Origins works with coffee bean farmers that actually can’t get a presence in the world of coffee. So this company goes to them, works with them, and then works with businesses like mine so we can get coffee from the smaller farmers who originally probably wouldn’t be able to sell to anybody,” said Hagen.

Most days Hagen can be found roasting coffee in small batches crafting unique and exclusive blends. Seeking out ways to perfect his own blends, Hagen spends a lot of time learning about the coffee bean roasting process. Hard work, research and practice have helped him find the right balance of heat and roasting times.

“A lot of trial and error,” Hagen said.

Taking a nod from the old adage: “They say measure twice, cut once.”

As for the coffee bean roasting process, Hagen said it’s very specific. “A minute is the difference between the coffee you want and a ruined coffee,” he said.

“You have to be careful.

I mean, your shorter roasts can range from 10 to 12 minutes, and your longer ones don’t go much longer. For me personally, I do 16 minutes but you have to pay attention, especially when it’s a new coffee, so you don’t mess it up.”

With any new process the learning curve can often come with setbacks and even with endless research it can be hard to perfect the right roast, however, Hagen was up for the challenge.

“I mean, you’re not going to do it right every time, but you just hope for that after you’re done roasting it,” Hagen said.

With nearly endless options available in the coffee bean market, finding what works and doesn’t can ultimately

make a huge difference in the end result.

“As long as it’s a good product, you can probably still make it better by tweaking a couple of things right.

But if it’s good, you can roll with it. Then you adjust it a little bit the next time around,” Hagen said.

Some of Hagen’s favorite beans to roast come from Ethiopia and Costa Rica, which he orders directly from Genuine Origin. Most of the coffee beans he receives are “washed,” which is one of the processes a coffee bean goes through to come to fruition.

Because coffee beans grow on trees inside of a cherry, the harvest process varies depending on the particular type of beans, the location itself, and how they are processed before being turned into coffee. A good example of this is the beans that are grown in Ethiopia.

“Farmers will pick the cherry and throw them into stainless steel containers and let them ferment for 48 hours.

And then they’ll take them out and then they’ll let them dry in the sun with the cherry still on it,” Hagen said.

After peeling back the cherry the flavors and smells of fruit are infused throughout the raw coffee beans, giving them differing notes of cinnamon and cardamom. Beans that come from places like Guatemala and Honduras are also some of Hagen’s go-tos because they are versatile.

Making coffee lovers everywhere swoon, roasters like Hagen are akin to gourmet chefs who create their own special recipe blends. Hagen enjoys roasting signature blends for a variety of local businesses, private label companies and boutiques. He also roasts signature blends for weddings and family reunions. His beans can be found throughout the U.S., and he has a few customers who come from Canada.

One of Hagen’s most popular roasts is a medium roast from Honduras called Smooth Owl. “It’s a great, all-encompassing, all-around good for drinking medium roast coffee,” he said.

wadenapj.com

Kyle Hagen, wife Traci, son Nikolai, and daughters Stella and Adaline.

The second most popular coffee roast is Gun Smoke. Gun Smoke is a dark roast coffee from Peru and Papua New Guinea that Hagen blends together to create a full-bodied coffee with smoky undertones. Hagen said that many people tend to shy away from drinking a dark roast but said he’s pretty good at convincing people to give it a try.

“I’ve converted many people who say they don’t like a dark roast,” Hagen said. “People’s preconception of dark roast is that it’s going to be bitter and strong and stuff like that. But properly roasted dark is delicious. It’s heavier, it’s richer.”

When he’s not lending a hand at his other business, Hagen can be found roasting three or four days a week.

Customers are always welcome to stop by to purchase (and smell) freshly roasted beans and sample some of his latest brews. Additional items that Hagen offers at Owly Coffee Roasters is locally crafted smallbatch coffee-flavored maple syrup, taffy, kettle corn and other snacks and treats.

Owly Coffee Roasters offers a wide variety of freshly roasted coffee beans for purchase, and prices range from $13 to $14 per pound. Hagen grinds the beans if

Nicole Stracek / People In Business

customers want to skip a step, and while they wait they can watch the roasting process in action while reveling in the sultry smells of coffee.

Of course, if customers don’t want to make their own coffee, they can still buy it by the cupful at Hagen’s other location, Owly Coffee Co., off Highway 10 west of Wadena.

Owly Coffee Roasters is located at 312 Jefferson St. South and is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Customers can stop in and purchase a bag or two, or order online at owlybeanroasters. shopsettings.com/.

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