Among the Cedars

Set within a dense grove of cedar trees just north of Highway 61 in Two Harbors, MN, this project began with a layered ambition: to house a coffee shop, a bike shop, and a fabrication studio within one building while honoring the woodland site. With wetlands, heavy tree cover, and a limited footprint, the site asked for restraint, preservation, and a design that would dissolve into its surroundings rather than dominate them.

Two Wings, One Roof

The solution organizes the program into two distinct wings. On one side, the bike shop and fabrication studio embrace an industrial palette—steel, concrete, and high clerestory glazing that fills the workspace with natural light while maintaining privacy. On the other hand, the coffee shop takes on the warmth of cedar ceilings milled from site-harvested trees, Douglas Fir millwork, and rich, sustainable surfaces. Overhead, a dramatic shed roof unites these spaces, its slope opening toward a central courtyard and entry, where the building welcomes both locals and travelers alike.

A Gathering Hub

Inside, Cedar Coffee’s seating area is lined with floor-to-ceiling windows that dissolve the edge between indoors and out. The café spills onto a shaded patio furnished with bold, modern pieces from Duluth-based Loll Designs, extending hospitality into the forest clearing. Cyclists arriving from the nearby trails move seamlessly between repair, retail, and refreshment—an intentional choreography of space that supports both quick stops and unhurried stays.

Crafted in Place

Sustainability is embedded in every detail: cedar harvested during construction now lines the café ceiling, while much of the forest was preserved to grow back into the site, reinforcing the sense of immersion. Materials, furnishings, and makers were drawn from the local community, rooting the project in both place and people.

More Than a Building

What began as a bold entrepreneurial vision has become a beloved waypoint for residents and visitors alike. Cedar Coffee + SpokeNGear is not just a building but a gathering place—a nexus where trails converge, stories are shared, and the cedar forest quietly frames it all.