Young Bucks expansion connects
coffee to community
Like many new business owners, Louise Skaare found herself at a tipping point with Young Bucks Coffee and Eatery, which opened in February 2021 at Life Church in Williston.
Her idea was to create a space for parents to enjoy coffee and conversation, and explore their faith, while their little ones burned off energy at the church’s indoor playground.
“It just kind of took off,” Skaare said. So much so, she was struggling to keep up. Flying back from a little trip to California, Skaare remembered feeling the business couldn’t continue without a drastic change.
“I just felt like we needed to grow or close. I thought it was coming to an end,” she said.
Back in Williston, Skaare was surprised as anyone to receive a text from a Williston coffeeshop owner who was looking to get out of the business.
The tipping point became a pivot.
“Within two-and-a-half weeks, we bought her business,” Skaare said. “It all fell together really quickly.”
Young Bucks now has three locations with three distinct vibes.
The original Young Bucks at Life Church is staying put.
“That is our main purpose,” Skaare said.
On Memorial Day, Young Bucks opened The Cabin location at the Badlands Town Center.
With comfy couches, boardgames and homey touches like a s’mores platter, it’s a place where adults, high school and middle school students can meet.
Skaare’s third location, The Tree Stand, is a drive-thru at 25 Main Street. This is her spin on serving craft coffee to those on the go.
At each location, the common threads are quality coffee, food and community.
“We are coffee forward,” Skaare said. “I think more people want coffee that tastes like coffee.”
That means craft techniques, such as coffee extraction and texturing milk for latte art.
Skaare said she puts the same care into their food, baking items onsite and sourcing local ingredients, such as sausage, from a local deli.
“Coffee is embedded in my family culture. Food is right there next to it,” said Skaare, a self-described Philly girl who met a farmer in the city and moved to Williston.
Like many newcomers, she had to adjust to the colder months.
“North Dakota can be isolating in the winter,” Skaare said. “Relationships are everything.”
That’s why, in each location, Skaare strives for a comfortable space where everyone is welcome and feels “that sense of community,” she said
To read this story and others in the October issue of North Dakota Living CLICK HERE.
* Young Bucks owner, Louise Skaare, has created three coffeeshops in Williston, which all share a sense of community.