More Than Coffee: Samantha Schofield Is Brewing Community at Northern Grind

CROMWELL, Minn. — At first glance, Northern Grind may look like a new drive-thru coffee hut along Highway 210, but for owner Samantha Schofield, the business was never just about coffee.

"Our mission at Northern Grind was never built to sell coffee," Schofield said. "That sounds like a weird statement, but hear me out. We're not trying to build a coffee shop. We're trying to build a place people want to stop at, meet up at, and work at. Coffee is just how we pay for it."

That vision began with family.

After adopting her son, Zane, Schofield knew she wanted a career that offered flexibility and allowed her to be close to him. She also wanted to create a welcoming environment where Zane and others like him could feel safe while developing valuable life and workplace skills.

"I had just adopted Zane and was moving back to Cromwell," Schofield said. "I needed something flexible that allowed me to be there for him. I also wanted somewhere he and others like him could safely be while still gaining skills."

While living in Wyoming, Schofield became familiar with the popularity of small drive-thru coffee huts. When she returned to Minnesota, she realized the Cromwell area didn't have anything similar.

"Little drive-thru coffee spots are super popular where we lived in Wyoming," she said. "I knew Cromwell didn't have anything like that nearby, so I asked the community if they would be interested. We decided to take a chance."

The response was overwhelmingly positive, giving Schofield the confidence to move forward with her dream.

Finding the coffee hut itself also felt like perfect timing.

"I was scrolling through Facebook Marketplace one day, and it was the very first thing I saw," Schofield recalled. "I messaged the sellers immediately."

The sellers connected with Northern Grind's mission and chose Schofield from among several interested buyers.

"They really resonated with our goals, and out of all the offers they received, they chose us."

Today, Northern Grind offers a wide variety of beverages and treats, including hot and iced coffee, espresso drinks, Red Bull Kickers, Italian sodas, dirty sodas, refreshers, smoothies, kid-friendly coffee drinks, and pastries from McGregor Baking Company.

Although the menu is extensive, Schofield says the drinks are simply a way to support something much bigger.

"We're trying to create a place where people know they can come just to be for five minutes," she said. "No judgment. We want to put family and community first. We want local teams to know they can come to us for sponsorships, and we want to be a place where people feel connected."

Northern Grind has already become involved in community events across the region. Upcoming appearances include Hey Day, an outdoor movie night at the coffee hut, the Snowmobiles on Water event in Moose Lake put on by the Weeping Willow foundation, Harvest Fest in Cromwell, the Floodwood Fair, and Proctor's Trunk or Treat.

For Schofield, each event is another opportunity to strengthen relationships within the communities she serves.

As Northern Grind continues to grow, its mission remains the same.

"It's never been just about coffee," Schofield said. "It's about creating a place where everyone feels welcome."

Northern Grind is located at 5566 Highway 210 in Cromwell. Whether stopping in for a morning espresso, an afternoon refresher, or simply a friendly conversation, Schofield hopes every customer leaves with more than just a drink.



After all, at Northern Grind, coffee may be what's on the menu—but community is what's truly being served.