Our Story

The Ember was started in March of 2012 as a non-profit, volunteer powered coffeehouse in the heart of downtown Grand Forks. The idea was to serve outstanding coffee, provide a friendly and relational atmosphere, and engage with and support the local creative community. Nothing has changed since as The Ember is still focused on serving the best coffee around, the vibe has never been warmer or friendlier, and we still host local musicians and artists from across the region.

Our Mission

We believe our purpose is to use coffee as a catalyst to positively impact our community.

Our Priorities

  • The best coffee

    The Ember serves coffee from Backstory Coffee Roasters that is roasted in Saint Paul, MN.

  • The greatest servers

    Question: What is better than a great cup of coffee?

    Answer: A great cup of coffee served by the most amazing people around!

  • The biggest impact

    As a non-profit, our mission is to make a difference in the community. We do this by donating our profits to local organizations, hosting community events, supporting local businesses, and providing a place for people to be together.

Who owns us?

The Ember is owned by Freedom Church, which is located just across the street on the corner of Demers Avenue and 3rd Street. Freedom Church is focused on making a positive impact in the Greater Grand Forks Area. The Ember is an example of one of the ways Freedom Church touches our community!