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Published October 16, 2009

Northern Grounds closes both coffee shops chat

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Christian O.
10/19/2009 11:39 AM

It is hard for any community to see their small businesses leave, but the only way that stops this from happening is we need to frequent their stores more often, or let them know what they need to change to keep your business. Jon T. Dunn Bros is locally owened and operated, so all of the money does stay local. The owners live in Southwest Willmar and their kids attend the public schools.

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tanya s.
10/16/2009 10:11 PM

the old harees building is now gonna be a karate studio, thats what it looks like when i passed by n looked in there yesterday

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Jaime G.
10/16/2009 12:53 PM

Yes, Dunn Bros is still open. I passed by it on my way to work and saw the open sign. My coworker mistakenly said Dunn Bros but it was Northern Grounds.

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Randy O.
Hoffman, MN     10/16/2009 12:50 PM

Oh Ray, you're so right - and we've never lost small businesses under a Republican administration. I do recall, that in 1999, the Minnesota Republicans gave the Wal-Mart's / big boxes of the world a big cut in their property taxes, while the small businesses of Main Street got nothin' for help. Thanks Republicans! Way to go, help the big get bigger.

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David B.
10/16/2009 12:06 PM

I'll miss visiting there when I get home to Willmar, it was fun seeing Randy and Judy, I could catch up on old friends.

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Jill M.
Randolph, MN     10/16/2009 11:57 AM

I really like LuLu Beans. Not only do I get good coffee and other beverages there, but the owner has let us have a bridal shower there in the front room. It is cozy,accessible and run by Willmarites. Have been to the music building coffee/deli and loved it too! ( Love coffee, hate beer.) Please support local stores when possible, so some character is left in Willmar in the long run. :)

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Janet S.
10/16/2009 10:34 AM

Bill B. --- give me a coffee shop or any other small business over a government run entity. Have you not figured out that Government produces absolutely NOTHING. It only exists because of what it takes from it's citizens. When Judy closes her business she will then not send anything in for the Government to spend. Government doesn't produce income -- Large and small businesses do.

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Ron C.
Willmar, MN     10/16/2009 9:53 AM

If the city wants more people uptown they need to open up the westside entrance so you can drive straight thru town like in the old days. There are other issues as well but this would be a start.

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Diane D.
10/16/2009 9:47 AM

Kris G, there is no such thing as awesome coffee, but there is some darn good cold beer. Coffee sucks!

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Andrew P.
10/16/2009 9:17 AM

Government jobs over local independent business: There's an idea that has worked out fantastically since the beginning of time (sarcasm). Give me one example of a success story and I'll believe it. Losing local business is sad. But the fact that Willmar could support that many local coffee shops, this long, was surprising to me. I'm even more surprised that people bypassed for Caribou. I'm sure the product is fine, but you're lucky if 25% of the money stays local...if that.

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