Community Corner

Dewey's Cafe Celebrates First Anniversary

Tyler Liedman and Chris McLean's first year of small business ownership has been a learning experience, Liedman says.

Like many small business owners, Tyler Liedman has faced challenges that make him question his decision to open a business.

But Liedman and his friend Chris McLean also know how sweet the rewards of small business ownership can be.

“I've definitely had points where I am stressed out … but I think the idea of trying something for myself, and not just falling into the 'graduate from college, get  regular job aspect,' and just forging out for myself has been very rewarding," Liedman said.

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On Wednesday, Liedman and McLean celebrated the one-year anniversary of their first business venture, Dewey's Café, a cozy, quirky coffee and snack shop housed in . 

Prior to opening Dewey's Café, Liedman and McLean were both baristas at a Snelling Avenue coffee shop, where they often talked about opening their own business. When Liedman, an Eagan native, heard his hometown library was planning to open a coffee shop inside its own facility, he leapt at the chance and co-authored a proposal with McLean.

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Against all odds, Liedman said, the library put its faith in the pair, accepting the proposal and working with the two to get 

But the work didn't end there. For the first few months, Liedman and McLean tailored their menu and implemented small changes in the operation of the café as they adjusted to customer's expectations and desires. They also worked hard to cultivate a presence in the library and develop relationships with the library's regular patrons.

In the coming year, the two hope to expand the reach of Dewey's Café, drawing in more customers from the wider community and marketing themselves on a larger scale.

In its first year of operations, the café has brought a new dimension to the library and helped the library draw in more guests, Wescott Library Deputy Director Roseanne Byrne said. The opening of the café generated lots of excitement and anticipation among regular patrons last year, Byrne added

"It’s become for some people a destination, knowing that they can get a sandwich, get something to drink," Byrne said. "It adds much to the ambience."

Liedman and McLean, Byrne added, have formed a wonderful partnership with library staff.

"They’re great; they represent I think a whole different generation," Byrne said. "They understand what libraries are about and really want to work with us."

For the foreseeable future, Liedman said, he is committed to the shop and its success. He and McLean are even considering hiring part-time workers to help out around the café. 

"Honestly, I think we’ve built a pretty cool place here," Liedman said. "It’s really cool to see how a business operates, and all the facets that come into it."


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