• Business will also offer basic bakery goods, breakfast items fresh bread and lunch items

By Kris Goracke

Reporter

What comes to your mind when someone says, “Neon Loon.”  Bright? Minnesota? Fun? Different? These words describe a new coffee shop opening in Starbuck – The Neon Loon. 

“I can’t say there is any super special meaning to the name,” said owner Jennifer Tolifson. “I had been trying to find a name that wasn’t taken with coffee references. And then, my oldest son and I were brainstorming, and I said I should go away from the coffee thing and do something about an animal representing Minnesota. At first, my son suggested Neon Goat. I liked the word neon as it represents the array of colors in the sunsets over Minnewaska year-round. And the loon, to me, is the quintessential Minnesota lake and wilderness symbol. And so, The Neon Loon was born.”

The start of this coffee shop started earlier this year. “I was looking to start a business and return to work outside of the home with the youngest starting school this fall. I wanted to do something close to home. On February 14, 2023, we purchased our building.” For Jennifer, February 14 has a triple place in her heart. It is her son’s birthday, the anniversary of her mother’s passing and the beginning of a new business. “I felt that my mom was cheering us on when that day came,” said Tolifson.

Jennifer, along with her husband Greg, have been busy working outside and inside the building, preparing for their opening. “The people before us who had hoped to open a coffee shop had already done some work for the building. The floor and counter had been done, which worked out great for us. So, with that done, we just added to it. We dropped the ceiling with black tiles and redid the lights and walls. We repaired the front of the store and added a sign. We just gave the building some love where it needed it. Everyone has been great to work with. Many of Greg’s friends helped us, and Paul Hippe did our cabinets,” said Tolifson.

The coffee business is nothing new to Tolifson, who worked as a barista in high school and her early college days. “I have done some training to catch up with the industry and have been practicing.” Tolifson hopes for a soft opening before Heritage Days and to be open for Heritage Days.

The business will offer coffee, lattes, espressos and quick grab-and-go drinks from their refrigerator units; hemp, oat, almond and soy milk are available for those looking for an alternative to milk in their coffee. Food will also be available to dine in or to go. “We will offer the basic bakery goods such as scones, fritters and bagels as well as breakfast items like our chorizo burritos and coffee rub steak burrito. We also will have eggs and potatoes on our menu. The Neon Loon offers daily soup, fresh bread and a side salad option for lunch.

In addition to getting that cup of coffee, the Neon Loon will sell local coffee, whole beans and ground. “I have been working with local roasters, and we are offering Beau Coffee from Starbuck, Heirloom Coffee from Brandon and Butler Beans from Bemidji. Butler Beans is also creating our own Loon Roast,” Tolifson said.

If you have a sweet tooth, the pièce de résistance is the gelato. “What I love about gelato is that people have stories about it. I love hearing the stories they share and how it brings fond memories to people,” said Tolifson. The Neon Loon will serve various flavors, such as caramel, pistachio and chocolate, to name a few.

Tolifson  commented, “I think the best part of opening up The Neon Loon is meeting people. I am excited to bring something new to Starbuck and hope to offer a space that creates memories. I know I am not going to change the world serving coffee, but maybe I can change someone’s morning and be a positive influence in their day.”

The hours for The Neon Loon are Monday, Tuesday, (closed Wednesday) Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a change in winter hours.

For more information, check out their webpage at neonloonmn.com