THE MIDDLE GUY. Born-and-raised Chippewa Valley local Brad Marek has had a successful career in the IT world and is now stepping into a new role: business owner. (Photos via Biggby Coffee Facebook)

Brad Marek was born and raised in the Chippewa Valley, as were his parents and all four of his grandparents. With a lifelong love for the area and its community, Marek is ready to bring his appreciation to a whole new level by opening up a business for locals to enjoy.

“I’ve lived here my whole life, born and raised. I guess I’m what they call a ‘townie,’ ” Marek laughed. “If I can be on the giving end instead of the receiving end now that I’ve sort of found my way, I want to do what I can to give back to the community.”

After working in the information technology (IT) field for more than 20 years from the private sector to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, raising kids and seeing them off to college and their adult lives, and settling into his own adult life, Marek was perfectly content with the track he was on. But a thought that had been nestled in the back of his mind for almost 15 years came back to the forefront, and it was hard to shake this time.

“(The idea to franchise) really started a long time ago,” Marek said. Back in his mid-20s, he just didn't have the money or resources to consider franchising. 

Then, he found Biggby Coffee.

“Fast forward 15-some years, (I have a) great job, fairly settled in with life, and I just happened to be scrolling Facebook one day,” he recalled. Well, as most folks would, Marek got reeled into one video displaying an adorable Serval cat and its family and clicked the “follow” button. Weeks later, that same family was shown wearing a sweatshirt with Biggby Coffee’s logo on it. He looked it up, and foud that Biggby was a small, Michigan-based coffee chain.

“I thought, ‘I love coffee (and) I’ve never even heard of this company.’ So, I went down the rabbit hole a bit, and thought, ‘I wonder if there’s any Biggby’s close to Wisconsin to visit,’ ” he explained. 

After making his way to a location in Wisconsin, not only did he enjoy its beverages as a coffee lover himself, but he got a look into the culture of the staff and customers of Biggby’s. When Marek realized it was a feasible idea at this point in his life to franchise, his appreciation for Biggby’s grew into more. But, why Biggby? For Marek, it came down to two things: conscious capitalism and the opportunity to support and give back to his community.

“(Biggby Coffee) is so community driven and they practice what’s called ‘conscious capitalism’ where it’s not all about the almighty dollar where everybody’s a number. (Biggby Coffee) sponsors community events, gets involved. I’ve lived here my whole life and my kids have been involved in youth athletics from basketball, baseball, and volleyball, and we understand that it takes sponsors from the community to make stuff happen.”

While the location for Marek’s Biggby Coffee location has been confirmed – 1451 Bluestem Boulevard Suite A, Altoona – Marek and his Biggby rep are knee-deep in the process of receiving approvals, nailing down shipments and how the supply chain may affect its development, remodeling, hiring staff, and more.

“IF I CAN BE ON THE GIVING END INSTEAD OF THE RECEIVING END NOW THAT I’VE SORT OF FOUND MY WAY, I WANT TO DO WHAT I CAN TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.”

BRAD MAREK

BIGGBY COFFEE FRANCHISEE

Folks may note that the River Prairie area where Marek’s Biggby Coffee will open is no stranger to coffee shops with Cabin Coffee located on Meadowlark Lane and Starbucks across Highway 12 in front of Woodman’s, and this is something Marek took into consideration too.

“For whatever reason, Biggby Coffee shops have had success located near Kwik Trips, and I know that River Prairie has developed its own sort of scene,” he explained. “I just couldn’t pass up on this location: it’s right off near the bypass, it’s a heavily-trafficked area, it’s near a Kwik Trip, and it’s so close to where I live.”

“The biggest thing (Biggby Coffee can bring to the area) is that sense of community. The local coffee shops are all great but they may not necessarily have the infrastructure Biggby Coffee has,” Marek explained. “The other end is the Starbucks, Dunkins, Caribous in the Midwest, and you don’t know (the owners) and they don’t really get too involved. My thought Its Biggby kind of fills that middle area.”

Biggby Coffee first began in Michigan with its founding in 1995 by Bob Fish and Michael McFall, and has since grown to about 300 locations across 13 states. The company boasts that more than 50% of its coffee – which comes from all over the world including Central and South America, Africa, and Asia – is sourced directly from a farm.

Its menu features traditional options like Americano, brewed coffee and cold brew, espresso, and more, though it also features sections for hot chocolate, lattes, freeze specials (including the Nutty Buddy Creme Freeze, Cinnabuzz Creme Freeze, and Banana Berry Creme Freeze), tea lattes, the Biggby Blasts, a kid’s menu, and food. Its food options span from baked goods such as bagels and donut holes to macarons and sandwiches.

Marek said he is hopeful for an opening date near the fall-winter of 2023 or early in 2024.

Learn more about Biggby Coffee on its website. Keep up with Volume One to learn more about River Prairie’s Biggby Coffee location later this year.