By Michelle M. Sharp, Founder and Content Creator of Meet the Minnesota Makers
Crystal Knakmuhs never planned to own her own coffee shop and roastery.
During a sabbatical from her job as a PT assistant, she helped a friend start a vineyard. Crystal developed a subscription program that paired a roast with a toast from the vineyard’s selection. Through the creation of these curated boxes, Crystal learned that she was fascinated by coffee. She loved learning about the different origins, the roasting, and the brewing.
By roasting the beans in small batches, her coffee beans are as fresh as possible. 
After a Costa Rican beach brainstorm in January 2023, Crystal returned to Minnesota, apprenticed with a roaster in southwest Minnesota, and began selling beans that May. Her customized roasts beans are available through her website and at stores in Lamberton, Slayton, Tracy, Wabasso, Westbrook, and, of course, her hometown of Walnut Grove.
When Dr. Bruce Mathiason, a local dentist, retired in 2020, the beautiful Fergusen Building stood vacant for quite some time. Concerned about the historic building’s future, Crystal and her husband decided to purchase it along with Crystal’s in-laws. They spent the past year remodeling the building to add an inviting community space to a town made famous as a part of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s beloved memoirs.
Freshly opened in June 2024, Half Pint Coffee Company brings a new coffee house to downtown Walnut Grove. The menu includes a full coffee bar featuring Half Pint Coffee Co’s freshly roasted beans along with baked treats, smoothies, teas and hand scooped ice cream. The shop is open Monday through Friday from seven to four and eight to four on Saturdays.
Crystal’s favorite part thus far? “EVERYTHING! I enjoy learning about the different beans and their countries of origin,” shared Crystal. “I also enjoy watching our customers enjoy our coffee roasts and having community and families gather and bring life to the space.”
“I am so proud to bring a family-owned, woman-led business to our community,” 
said Crystal. “We value our customers and strive to have every visit leave a positive lasting impact on our customers.”
Half Pint Coffee Company supports community organizations through their fundraising collaborations. Most recently, they collaborated with SW Minnesota Blaze Baseball to raise funds for a trip to Cooperstown, New York.
With custom roasts such as the Harvester Light, the Farmhand Medium, Stump Lifter Dark, Drift Breaker Cold Brew, Porch Side Strawberry Rhubarb Flavored, and Quittin’ Time Decaf, Crystal creates a Half Pint Coffee Co option to meet every coffee drinker’s preference.
Crystal’s greatest surprise thus far? “How much people really enjoy learning about coffee production from harvest to sipping a cup of coffee. I love being able to share why Fair Trade coffee matters and what it means.”
Why Half Pint Coffee? Named after Laura Ingalls Wilder’s childhood nickname from her Pa. Perhaps this locally-owned business will become a tradition for visitors in town for the annual Wilder Pageant.
Visit www.halfpintcoffeeco.com for the full menu, to order ahead or to sign up for a subscription box.
Follow @halfpintcoffeeco on Facebook and Instagram for monthly drink specials and upcoming events.
Visit meettheminnesotamakers.com or follow @meettheminnesotamakers on Facebook and Instagram to discover the food innovators who make Minnesota a tasty place to be! Meet the Minnesota Makers is a news site that connects you to the local food, farms, artists and artisans that make Minnesota thrive.
