An Inside Look at St. Cloud

St. Cloud is a location that exceeds all expectations. The unique city finds itself ricocheting between urban and rural. It is big enough for someone to find something new to do or explore regularly, but still small enough for someone to really get to know the community. St. Cloud’s community is something you cannot experience anywhere else.

St. Cloud is a city that prioritizes inclusivity. Intelligent and passionate business owners not only demonstrate this but also work to build safe and interesting spaces for everyone.

Kayla Adams and Laura Wolfram, partners and co-owners of Korppi Coffee + Bakeshop, mixed their love for coffee, the environment, and making people comfortable when building their business. Every aspect of the business has been carefully thought out, including the name, which is the Finnish word for raven: an homage to the unique bird and Adams’ family history.

Both they and their hardworking team continuously make strides to support the local economy, encourage environmental sustainability, and cultivate a space where everyone feels welcomed.

The business snuck up on them after they both thought about what kind of changes they wanted to make to their community and the world. After careful deliberation, they discovered that owning a sustainable and conscientious coffee shop fit their desired role.

“Our core values are kindness, integrity, and intentionality. We want people to feel like they can be welcome here and be treated like human beings no matter who they are, whether they’re queer or not. I think having that space, especially during the day, where people can go and know that they can be themselves was a big motivator,” Wolfram said.

They curate this welcoming environment by co-hosting events such as a quarterly “Queer Connect” with St. Cloud Pride, where people can come and be themselves while also meeting new, friendly faces.

Adams and Wolfram are not the only business owners set on making St. Cloud feel like home for everyone. Brandon Johnson and his partner Josh Hoffman operate Copper Pony, a gift shop that goes the extra mile.

The two have spent each of their ten years in business dedicated to honing in on their ideals: great gifts and food, great environment, and great people. They found their niche while sharing their passion for interesting home decor by selling it out of their garage, before eventually establishing a storefront. At Copper Pony, they drive home “food, mood, and service,” according to Johnson.

They want each guest to feel welcome and excited to build their home into a space that brings them joy. They encourage this through their interior design, quality food, and their attention to the needs of the consumer. Even more, Copper Pony is set on embracing the diversity within St. Cloud.

“Our community is everything. Without our community, we have no business,” Johnson said. “I’m speaking now generally, like, broadly about the community. Obviously, the LGBT community is a part of that, but the central Minnesota community and beyond has been really incredible supporters of what we’re creating.”

Not only do their staff and merchandise bring this to life, but they also host events once a month where they spotlight different businesses and artists that ring true to their morals. Johnson, Hoffman, and the team at Copper Pony want everyone to feel at home.

In addition to Korppi Coffee + Bakeshop and Copper Pony, Modern Barnyard, with its eclectic mix of contemporary and vintage home decor, is a business built on passion.

James Beck and his partner John Malikowski began Modern Barnyard just over seven years ago and, along the way, have shaped it into a business that supplies more than just home goods. The merchandise is unique in that it serves to evoke memory and inspire creativity.

Not only does Modern Barnyard help its community and surrounding areas by creating the perfect home environment, but it also likes to support its community in other ways. They’ve hosted fundraisers for Anna Marie’s Alliance, a local women’s domestic violence shelter, and worked with the American Cancer Society, the Indy Foundation and the Tri-County Humane Society.

 “We like to do a lot of things to give back to the community,” Beck said.

Alongside its numerous LGBTQ+-owned and -operated businesses, St. Cloud hosts events that amplify diversity in its community.

St. Cloud Pride begins on September 15th and runs until the 28th, and has a surplus of activities and events for people of all ages to enjoy.

Meredith Rosenbaum, vice chair of St. Cloud Pride, shared her excitement about this year’s events. While many previous favorites will be making a return, including the drag show, youth dance party, and burlesque dinner, there will be new activities, too: a block party, family-friendly games, and a kickball tournament.

“What I enjoyed is seeing, throughout the years, the people that I know are allies, but also people in the community that I see around because St. Cloud really does feel like a small town. You see a lot of the same people over and over, and it is so encouraging to see those neighbors and friends walk by at a pride event and know that they are welcoming,” Rosenbaum said.

The events are for everyone from any background to enjoy and are centered on the joy that can be found in embracing the differences that make a community so special.

In addition to its annual Pride event, St. Cloud Pride hosts numerous events throughout the year to help the LGBTQ+ community stay connected. Rosenbaum encourages people to visit their website at www.stcpride.org for more details.