Renovations lead to grand re-opening at Dawson café
Local entrepreneur benefits from Southwest Initiative Foundation loan program
DAWSON, Minn. – Gnometown Grounds — a locally owned café, bakeshop and gift shop — recently celebrated its grand re-opening in Dawson with help from Southwest Initiative Foundation’s (SWIF) Microenterprise Loan Program. Emma Weber started this small business last year in the former Marc’s on Main gift shop. Following a brief soft launch, Weber had a planned closure starting in January 2024 to make major renovations, including adding a coffee bar and kitchen.
As a high school student, Weber worked at Marc’s on Main, which sold gifts, flowers, plants, and candies. When the owner decided to retire, Weber saw the opportunity to pursue her dream of owning her own shop. She has long been a cottage baker and ran a café in Australia as part of mission work she was doing in the country.
Knowing the downtown building needed updates to offer a full coffee bar and dining options like she envisioned, Weber decided to launch the gift shop side of her business right away, then take some time to complete renovations. It took a bit longer than anticipated, and Weber opened back up in stages. Finally in June, the space was ready for the grand re-opening.
“We appreciate each and every person who has supported this venture as we got up and running. Every small business is born of a dream, and we can’t thank our community enough for being part of it,” Weber said.
Gnometown Grounds now has a menu with espresso drinks, drip coffee, a variety of other beverages, baked goods and hot and cold sandwiches. In the gift shop, customers will find unique items sourced from around the area.
“One of my favorite things to do is support other small businesses, which helped ‘as local as possible’ become our motto for buying inventory in our store. Many of our products are made in the U.S., if not in the Midwest,” Weber said.
Loan proceeds from SWIF provided Weber funds to purchase machinery and equipment for the restaurant. Loan programs have been a key function of SWIF since its inception to support communities and businesses throughout southwest Minnesota. In 2001, microlending was added to existing programs as a tool to support small businesses and people looking for self-employment opportunities.
“We applaud Emma’s vision and determination on this entrepreneurship journey, and we’re happy to be here to support her in opening Gnometown Grounds,” said Selina Berning, SWIF Entrepreneurship Finance Officer.
Microloan clients also receive free technical assistance from SWIF staff to improve their business management skills. Areas of support include business planning and financials analysis, accounting software training, marketing assistance and other training opportunities for the life of the loan.
This microloan program receives funding assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration and U.S. Department of Agriculture. For more information, contact SWIF by calling (800) 594-9480, (320) 587-4848 or email SWIF.
About Southwest Initiative Foundation
Southwest Initiative Foundation (SWIF) is a nonprofit community foundation connecting people, investing in ideas and building communities to create a southwest Minnesota where all people thrive. Since its founding in 1986, SWIF has distributed more than $115 million through its grantmaking and business finance programs.