EDINA, Minn. — An iconic coffee shop is closing in the Twin Cities.
Caribou employees and realtors say the original Caribou Coffee location in Edina will close by the end of the year.
The store at 4408 France Ave. first opened for business in 1992.
John and Kim Puckett started the iconic coffee company with a dream of expanding their coffee concept to additional stores.
According to Caribou, the company has since added more than 750 locations in 11 countries.
"I was just really sad,” Beth Quevli says.
Quevli is the general manager at Gear Running Store in Edina, which is right next door to the original Caribou.
“Seeing something that is a Minneapolis institution go away is disappointing,” Quevli says.
“I remember when my husband’s cousin would always buy Caribou beans when he came into town. He lives in Detroit. He was so excited when the first Caribou opened in Detroit, because we didn’t have to source him his Caribou beans anymore.”
Gene Tuftin remembers the day the original Caribou moved into the neighborhood.
“The original owner would come here to the shop all the time to get a haircut,” Tuftin says.
Tuftin is a barber at Dick’s Sports Barbers, which is two doors down from the original Caribou.
Tuftin says he didn’t think the coffee shop was going to last long in the neighborhood.
"I just thought, really? Just selling coffee? You think it's going to be that successful? Well, it was. Shows you what I know," Tuftin laughs.
Three decades later, Caribou Coffee has grown to become a household name for countless people around the world.
Nick Brown at Daily Coffee News says Caribou was one of the coffee pioneers in the 1990’s that revolutionized the coffee industry by giving customers a deeper connection to their daily cup of coffee.
"They were one of the first major companies that treated coffee as a craft and really embraced concepts regarding coffee quality, coffee craftsmanship, the origins of coffee, and the countries in which it's grown,” Brown explains.
Brown says Caribou’s decision to close this original location in Edina doesn't necessarily mean the company isn't doing well financially.
Back in April, the company announced plans to open 300 new stores.
Brown says what's likely happening is a shift in the industry.
"Caribou, among other larger chain operators, are generally moving towards more locations that prioritize convenience and speed of delivery and more drive-thru service,” Brown says.
Caribou employees at this original location are telling customers that the shop will close on Dec. 12.
Realtors at Colliers International are representing the property and say it's already generating a lot of interest from local companies. They said they're hoping to have a new tenant in the space by spring of 2024.
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