By SARAH WEBER
Co-Editor

ORANGE CITY — On Thursday, Sept. 14, Kweken Co. opened its doors to the community in the first phase of its business. Located right off Central Avenue and 3rd Street Northwest, Kweken Co, owned by Michael and McKenzie Kuiken, will innovatively cultivate community. “The name Kweken is pronounced similarly to our last name. But it was interesting; we were looking for a name, and we just researched Dutch words for community and cultivating community, and this word came up, and it was perfect. We want a place to cultivate and grow community,” McKenzie said. Located in the west half of the former D and L building, the young entrepreneurs completed most of the renovation themselves. “I have a background in industrial design, and my most recent redesign was the Windmill Park renovation,” Michael said. Much of the space was transformed, and the original qualities of the building are now highlighted through design. “We found this large wood piece in the basement of the building that was being used for shelving. We thought it was a beautiful piece and is now a centerpiece of the store,” McKenzie said of the wall-sized backing to the bench seating area.

The first phase of the design was the front coffee shop. Cultivating community is the goal at Kweken Co., and with picturesque views of Windmill Park, the coffee spot will be a welcomed location for moms, kids, college students, and any lover of coffee and community.

“We plan to be open Monday through Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and 1-8 p.m. on Sunday,” McKenzie said. The store offers coffee, smoothies, slushies, baked goods, and grab-and-go snacks. “We source coffee from Coffea out of Sioux Falls. Their coffee experts came in and trained our baristas, and they roast right in Sioux Falls, so we are getting a really fresh product,” she added. “As a company, they meet with every farmer that farms their coffee beans, and are part of every step, how it is processed, transported, where it…

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