Trail Creek Coffee Roasters: Big Flavor from Small-Town Kasson

Founded in 2017 by Crystal and Jim Whitmarsh, Trail Creek began as a humble home-roasting experiment. What started with a popcorn popper in the garage quickly grew into a full-fledged roastery, complete with a 10-kilogram Mill City Roaster and a cozy brick-and-mortar shop in Kasson’s former library building. With warm lighting, visible roasting equipment, and community tables, the space reflects the brand’s “coffee-with-purpose” philosophy: transparent, approachable, and rooted in local connection.

But in June 2025, the story entered a new chapter. The McGinn family of Rochester siblings Alec and Ashley, along with their spouses Jason and Emily purchased the business with a shared vision to preserve its charm and continue learning the hands-on art of roasting. For them, Trail Creek isn’t just about coffee it’s about cultivating a space that draws people together.

And it shows in every cup. From Tanzania, Peaberry to rare Ecuadorian microlots, their beans are carefully selected, responsibly sourced, and roasted in small batches to preserve nuanced flavors. The café’s menu features a rotation of handcrafted lattes many made with house-blended syrups like pistachio, pumpkin spice, and Madagascar vanilla. Favorites include their crème brûlée latte and a refreshing pistachio iced latte.

Trail Creek’s reach now extends beyond Kasson. Their beans line the specialty shelves at Hy-Vee stores throughout southern Minnesota and appear on menus at cafés like Bear Paw Coffee in Byron and St. James Coffee in Rochester. But even as their distribution grows, their approach remains small-batch and personal.

Locals know it as a hidden gem. Online reviewers call it “a cute shop with great service and amazing coffee,” while Reddit threads devoted to Rochester’s best beans routinely name Trail Creek among the top local roasters. One user noted, “Most Hy-Vees carry them they’re roasted in Kasson and they’re good.”

Still, don’t expect daily café hours. The shop operates with a boutique model, typically open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Their intimate schedule adds to the allure those in the know plan ahead to grab a bag of beans or sip a latte while chatting with staff or catching a glimpse of the roaster in action.

For the McGinns, that slow pace is intentional. It's about preserving the integrity of the roast, supporting the community, and offering customers something meaningful one cup at a time.

So whether you're stopping in for a weekend pick-me-up or grabbing a bag from your local Hy-Vee, Trail Creek Coffee Roasters invites you to pause, sip, and savor what small-town passion can do.