20 Below Coffee Co. offers warm grounds for coffee drinkers

All About Food | April 15th, 2015

Last Saturday was the grand opening of the coffee bar and roasterie Twenty Below Coffee Co. in downtown Fargo.

Ty Ford and Mike Moran met only seven months ago at Unseen Ministries and have been working together with their wives Elisha and Danae since December. They got to talking (over a cup of coffee) and realized that they could expand the business of Ty and Elisha’s coffee roasting endeavors and open up a space together to serve coffee and serve the community.

Twenty Below Coffee was absolutely packed for its opening day, so it seems it has succeeded in its inital stride toward serving the community. And the catalyst for that community is its delicious coffee. Moran referenced the TV classic “Cheers” and how they wanted Twenty Below to be a place where everyone knew your name.

Ford and Moran have worked for independent and chain coffee shops in the past, and they noted the sense of togetherness that was inherent in the act of getting coffee. The founders said they've had some of the most meaningful conversations and positive influences from people in those coffee shops.

The coffee shop came to fruition quickly thanks to the help of a Tilt crowdfunding campaign. It raised around $15,000 to help defray costs of constructing a storefront, making merchandise and roasting coffee, etc. Contributors received rewards for donating anything from $5 to $1,000. Five dollar donors received a free drink token and $1,000 contributors received free coffee for life, with multiple swag options in between those two amounts. Moran mentioned that a complete stranger donated $1,000 to the campaign and they were amazed and thrilled by his generosity.

Some of Twenty Below’s featured products include local Three Bears Honey, Terroir Chocolate from Fergus Falls, ceramic mugs made by Brooke Stewart and screenprinted shirts by First Ave Promo. The company uses organic Crystal Ball Farms milk from Wisconsin and aforementioned local ingredients in its coffee drinks.

The owners also recently hired an in-house baker, Ali Burke, to make a variety of breakfast goods and pastries. The selection of treats includes macaroons, gluten-free waffles, biscotti, vegan pumpkin bread and more.

Twenty Below is a piece of the young entrepreneur movement in Fargo.

“Fargo is fertile ground for businesses to grow. The success of other small businesses has inspired us to go for it,” Moran said. He noted people like Ashley Morken, owner of Unglued, are pioneers for young business owners and have proved it’s possible to bring fresh ideas to downtown Fargo.

Ford and Moran also gave regard to the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and One Million Cups for their contributions to the community. Ty and Elisha spread the word of their roasted coffee by catering at One Million Cups events and selling it online in the beginning.Greg Stumbo of Stumbeano’s Coffee Bar recently organized a Barista Jam event which happens every second Thursday of the month. The event gives baristas and coffee appreciators a chance to get together and hash over new technologies and trends in the industry. Ford mentioned it was a great way to stay connected with other coffee roasters and be up to date on new information.

In considering that Stumbeano’s, Young Blood Coffee and Twenty Below all popped into the scene around the same time, Moran observed, “All ships rise at the same tide.” They are grateful to have allies and friends in their field of interest.