Dutch Bros Coffee, one of the West’s largest coffee chains based in Grants Pass, Ore., plans to open a new location at the Fowler Center in Grass Valley, Sierra Foothills Report has learned.
“Dutch Bros is coming Spring 2021” to the Fowler Center at 2118 Nevada City Hwy., according to a separate commercial real estate listing in the Center.
“Dutch Bros is coming to Grass Valley in the Fowler Center (where the old vacant building (Ruby’s) is now,” Joy Porter, board chairman of the Grass Valley Chamber of Commerce and a local photographer, wrote tonight on her Facebook page, offering further confirmation.
“Working on the existing building demo now, just submitted the permit application — it’s happening! They are constructing an approximate 1k sq. ft building with covered patio for outside seating and walk up window as well.”
Dutch Bros (pronounced as “bros,” not “brothers”) is the nation’s largest, privately held drive-thru coffee company, with more than 390 locations in eight western states and over 12,000 workers, as its website states.
“Its coffee kiosks serve specialty coffee drinks, smoothies, freezes, teas, a private-label Dutch Bros Blue Rebel energy drink and nitro-infused cold brew coffee. A proprietary three-bean blend is still roasted to perfection from its Grants Pass headquarters. Meanwhile, Dutch Bros, its owner/operators and the Dutch Bros Foundation remain committed to the community, donating millions of dollars annually to nonprofit organizations and local causes.”
Readers might have noticed that Dutch Bros. has a drive-thru kiosk location at 3995 Grass Valley Hwy. in North Auburn. It opened in 2009.
Dutch Bros Coffee was founded in 1992 by entrepreneurs Dane and Travis Boersma. “After three generations in the dairy business, the brothers decided to use changes in the industry as motivation to branch out and try something new. The bros bought a double-head espresso machine, cranked up the stereo, threw open the barn doors and started experimenting with 100 pounds of beans,” the website reads. (Dane died from ALS in 2009).
“Dutch Bros has a different, hipper vibe than both those big players,” such as Starbucks and Dunkin’, according to an article in Forbes.
We are longtime fans and regular customers of Caroline’s Coffee Roasters — locally owned and operated — in historic downtown Grass Valley. But we wish the “bros” (AKA Dutch Brothers) luck.
Jeff Pelline's Sierra Foothills Report 