Coffee break

Coffee break Business transitions to storefront

RANDOLPH – Amber Jorgensen wasn’t born with a cup of Joe in her hands but she got a taste for the the daily grind early on.

“My best friend’s dad always used to make us coffee with cream and sugar and they used the sipping cups,” she said with a smile, recalling the story from her childhood. “We used to fight over those sipping cups.”

The magic beans in her cup transformed into a dream at 10 years old to open her own coffee shop and cafe. And now she can say, dreams do come true.

Jorgensen opened Aj’s food truck and stationed it outside the Randolph city office for a year before transitioning to a storefront location, called The Breakroom, downtown.

”We did the trailer so we could just get up and going and see how things were going to go,” she said.

It was a learning experience full of complications, Jorgensen said, having to haul in water daily, worry about freezing up in the winter and dealing with cramped quarters.

The storefront location, the former Randolph Equipment & Repair, was purchased at auction in April 2024. The building dates back to 1911 when it began as Galvin Implement. It was also operated as an International Harvester Company dealership before Les Lorenz operated it as the equipment and repair shop.

After the business closed, the building had fallen into disrepair. But while others may have seen the space as an eyesore, Jorgensen saw nothing but possibilities.

“I loved the big windows out front and the brick. I liked that it was on a corner lot and it’s connected with other buildings but still on it’s own,” she said.

The building underwent extensive remodeling but Jorgensen tried to keep a few of the old building’s features, including some of the original brick featured in two wall arches behind the business front counter.

As a cabinet designer, Jorgensen was able to jump right in with creative ideas to liven up the space.

“The building, it’s changed so much but it’s also still almost the same if that makes sense,” she said. “Like we have as much as we could that’s original and even the layout.”

It’s the details that are favorites of Jorgensen’s, including the copper hanging lights above the front counter.

There’s also sentimental touches like a door with an etched glass inset depicting an ornate and old-fashioned scene of a man atop a horse talking to a lady in a hoop skirt.

The bathroom signs also came from a family member.

There’s been a lot of ‘wow’s from customers who can hardly believe the transformation of the space, she said.

“I’ve had a lot of people come up to me and just thank me for investing in Randolph. That’s what it’s really about, you know? That was what my role was this whole time,” Jorgensen said.

Although there’s ten times more space in the new storefront than in the trailer, Jorgensen created cozy nooks for customers to relax and enjoy a beverage or a meal, to enjoy a laugh and conversation, or to work or study. She wants the space to live up to its name - The Breakroom - where customers can feel comfortable, to perhaps, take life one sip at a time.

Landscaping is still underway at the location this spring and Jorgensen is looking forward to nicer weather when she can arrange for outdoor seating. Large overhead doors can also be opened to bring a taste of the outdoors in.

She’s also looking forward to hosting events at her new storefront, she said.

“Honestly any event I would be willing to accomodate. You can do just about anything in here,” she said.

For now, the Breakroom is capitalizing on the success started at Aj’s with daily food specials and a full drink menu with specialty coffee, Lotus energy drinks, lemonades and smoothies. The business is open daily.

“I’m happy to be here. It’s just so surreal,” Jorgensen said. “I need to be pinched. I’m just looking forward to settling in here.”