Valley Grind opens to fuel Kellogg
LEFT: Riley Toews and Kenadie Hojem show off their delicious drinks. TOP RIGHT: Follow Valley Grind on Instagram for any updates. BOTTOM RIGHT: A selection of baked goods provided by Anchored Coffee Company.
Photo by MOLLY ROBERTS
KELLOGG — The Idaho Panhandle has become a paradise for caffeine lovers, with coffee shops popping up throughout the beautiful region.
Among those shops is the recently debuted Valley Grind, opened by two close friends, Kenadie Hojem and Riley Toews at the end of June inside the bustling world of Dave Smith Motors.
Hojem and Toews have known each other for most of their lives, going to school, playing sports, and surviving their teenage years together.
“We are definitely 50/50 when it comes to the business. It’s like a marriage,” said Toews as they both laughed.
Toews has about six years of food service and coffee stand experience and is helping Hojem learn as they grow their shop.
Valley Grind offers classic coffee drinks like americanos, latte’s and mochas, a chai/matcha combination, cold brew and a selection of hot teas. Following other coffee shops’ footsteps, Valley Grind also offers infused energy drinks, including Red Bull, ZipFizz or Lotus, combined with syrup flavors for the perfect energetic combination. Finally, those not seeking caffeine but a refreshing sip in the hot summer can get an Italian soda, lemonade, a smoothie or protein shake.
The shop also has a variety of food options, as the space previously had a cafe that provided food and drink options primarily to the employees and customers of Dave Smith. The shop still stays busy with the traffic from Dave Smith, but the two are looking to make the space their own and more accessible for the public by eventually adding some parking spots specifically for their shop.
“We knew we wanted bagels, and bagel sandwiches,” Hojem said. “That’s always a smart move for a coffee shop.”
“We also wanted a little more,” Toews added. “Everyone here, at Dave Smith, wanted to eat lunch as well, so it made sense. The panini press was already here, so it really all came together perfectly.”
The menu includes a selection of bagel sandwiches, a chorizo burrito, or a variety of paninis, including the Cowboy — with chicken, bacon, mozzarella, onion and barbecue sauce. If you have a sweet tooth, cinnamon rolls, muffins, and more are provided by Anchored Coffee Company in Coeur d’Alene.
Valley Grind is located at 11 Riverside Ave. W. in Kellogg, in the brick building owned by Dave Smith, what locals know as "the old Sunnyside Elementary building.”
The shop will be open from Monday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. For updates and specials, follow @valleygrind on Instagram.