The Grind instructor Amber Amendt helps spinner Erin Burg adjust her bike before class starts during the grand opening of Humboldt's new coffee bar and spin studio. (Becky Zimmer/northeastNOW Staff)

By Becky Zimmer

Grinding it out

New Humboldt business sees fusion of coffee and a spin workout

Feb 28, 2022 | 11:00 AM

An unlikely blend has come to Humboldt as five local women have opened up a coffee bar and spin studio on the eastern side of the city.

The Grind already had a strong following of spin enthusiasts before it even opened, said co-owner Ashley Brockman, who also owns Anytime Fitness with her husband, Scott. The grand opening this past weekend was a success, she said, with all five of the free fitness classes on both Saturday and Sunday full of spinners and even had wait lists for most of the classes. Each day featured a class from all five of the qualified instructors with three different levels available for people to either get a taste of spin or to jump right in.

While it might be an unlikely combination, it was an idea that stemmed from the closure of a previous downtown business and the need to expand another.

Free Spirit had success with their specialty lattes and cappuccinos but closed down last winter. Brockman knew that that was a gap in service that could be filled by The Grind and former Free Spirit owner, Stacey Stroeder, was a wealth of information, she told northeastNOW.

“I instantly messaged (fellow Grind founder) Adriana (Wormworth), and I said ‘I’ve got it, I’ve figured it out. We need to combine a coffee shop with spin.’ Her first words to me were ‘what the hell do you know about coffee,’ and I said ‘absolutely nothing but we’ll learn, we’ll figure it out.’”

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Spin classes were previously available at the downtown Anytime Fitness location but they were outgrowing the space, Brockman said.

“Adriana created such a huge following. It exploded in the past four years that we needed to move it out of there. We weren’t doing the members any favors by keeping it there, lots of them weren’t happy that it was still going on, and we also weren’t doing our spinners any favours.”

Plans for the studio have been months in the making and the founders did find a wonderful space in an old CIM building. Previous tenants included everything from electricians to office spaces but The Grind founders have made it their own with a literal night and day contrast. A warm and bright open space in the front created a coffee shop feel with cozy chairs while a previous garage and storage area has become perfect for a spin space featuring disco lights and loud music.

Owners and operators of Humboldt’s new coffee bar and spin studio. Pictured: Co-owner and instructor Adrianna Wormworth, co-owner Ashley Brockman, instructor Virginia Bells, instructor Jennifer Wourms, instructor Jill Heidecker, and instructor Amber Amendt. (Submitted photo/Ashley Brockman)

“The layout of this building really is what sold us on it; the space that you can have the coffee bar separate and the space that you could have the spin separate but still somewhat have them feel like they were together.”

Spin is a welcoming fitness activity, with the focus on a “you do you” attitude, said Brockman, and everyone can expect a judgment-free workout.

“Nobody is in there checking out any other riders, judging what anyone else is doing. It’s honestly just a great space to come in, feel the energy, feel the music, do what you can and have fun.”

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becky.zimmer@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @bex_zim