Bob and Kim Dreyer, the owners of the Columbus Center, have leased a space to three different tenants over the years, hoping they would offer espresso drinks and possibly baked goods to the tenants. However, those plans did not come to fruition. “We always thought that there should be a place where somebody can grab a drink, maybe a light meal, and get it in the building rather than have to go out for it,” Explained Kim
After years of unsuccessful leasing attempts, Bob and Kim decided that to provide this service for the tenants of the building, they would need to take matters into their own hands. “We’ve been working on this for a little over a year, but we’ve wanted a space like this for ten years,” explained Kim.
Kim expressed that they are learning as they go and that they’re not doing this to make money but to enhance the experience for the tenants and guests of the building.
Sisters Coffee and Café officially opened on October 30th and serves drinks and food from Monday to Friday, between 7:30 am and 2:30 pm. It is named to honor The Sisters of Providence, who opened The Columbus Hospital in 1930. “If it wasn’t for the sisters, the hospital would have never happened, and we would have never been able to buy the building. We would never have been able to open Sisters Coffee and Cafe, so it all goes back to them,” explained Kim.
The building houses many tenants who have appointments and clients coming and going. “We needed someone to run the café, and we got lucky when Betty came along and said she wanted to work at the Columbus Center,” explained Kim.
Betty Friese is the manager and does a lot of the cooking and has an employee, Ashley Ellis, who works alongside her. Together, they prepare meals and espresso drinks.
The development process took considerable time, as they were determined to open with the utmost quality. They prioritized creating a welcoming environment where individuals could leave their suites and take a break. They invested in high-quality internet access and thoughtful lighting design.
The cafe offers an array of beverages, including coffee, tea, and Lotus plant-based energy drinks, all prepared with the finest ingredients available. The coffee beans are procured from Kaladi Brothers, a renowned roaster located in Anchorage, Alaska.
Sisters Coffee and Cafe is open exclusively catering to tenants, their clients, and guests. They offer premium, health-conscious granola bars, breakfast sandwiches served on croissants and bagels, allowing customers to select their preferred meat, cheese, and farm-fresh eggs, avocado toast, which is topped with fresh avocado, basil, feta cheese, and bacon bits, their signature “Bobby’s Bowl,” named in honor of Bob Dryer, the owner of the building, which consists of yogurt accompanied by granola, fresh fruit, and a warm muffin, as well as a Chai Bowl, complemented by fresh fruit and vanilla.
For lunch, they feature a soup of the day, with a selection aimed at providing exceptional quality. One noteworthy selection is clam chowder sourced from Seattle, which is garnished creatively and served with a slice of warm sourdough bread topped with Parmesan cheese. Customers have the option to customize their sandwiches by choosing their preferred meat, cheese, and vegetables. These sandwiches can be served either hot or cold, with grilling options available.
Beginning January 1st, they will be planning a delivery service to suites. Knowing that many tenants have patients or clients to accommodate, they will have the option to place orders for convenient delivery.
For more information about Sisters Coffee and Café, please visit them at 1601 2nd Ave North, or call (406) 836-4600 and let them know you found them in The Great Falls Gazette.
Author: Karen Anderson
Karen is the Editor-in-Chief overseeing all news operations at Foxys Publishing Co. She also loves photography and spending time with her dogs.
