Whirlybird Coffee Co. Partners with Fast Fuel, to Open Second Location
two local eateries settle into new partnership as Whirlybird continues to grow
Whirlybird Coffee Co. has carved its own path and place in the heart of the Chippewa Valley, first opening in the summer of 2022 inside the Chippewa Falls Dove Healthcare building and becoming a near-instantaneous hit. In the new year, the locally-owned coffee shop announced it would be expanding with a second location at the Wisconsin Farmers Union’s in-progress Market on River (MOR) building in downtown Chippewa Falls, as well as a second announcement: a partnership with another local eatery, Fast Fuel.
With unique drinks and a vibrant menu of grain bowls, salads, sandwiches, and more, Whirlybird became a fast favorite for locals thanks to its products and people. Marked by warm, friendly service with folks who remember the names and orders of regulars, it became a genuine local success. It was then perhaps no surprise when Whirlybird announced a second location, an exciting and welcome addition to the MOR project.
“(With our upcoming expansion) we recognized that we needed to assess our capacity to meet all wants and needs in two locations, while continuing to maintain a standard of excellence.”
LIZ VAN AARDE
OWNER OF WHIRLYBIRD COFFEE CO.
Flashing back to last fall, Eau Claire’s Fast Fuel Grill & Juice Lounge closed its storefront on Water Street and also at its original location in Banbury Place. The locally founded biz aimed to offer a healthy fast food option, and its closure was a loss for the downtown food scene.
Just days after announcing Whirlybird’s expansion in Chippewa Falls, it shared a second surprise: Fast Fuel would find life once again, in Whirlybird’s kitchen.
“It has been Big News Central at Whirlybird lately,” joked Liz Van Aarde, whose family owns Whirlybird. “When Farmers Union reached out to us about the opportunity at MOR last year, we were so excited about the farmers-first values and the collaborative concept of the space. With this, we recognized that we needed to assess our capacity to meet all wants and needs in two locations, while continuing to maintain a standard of excellence and still enjoy our days, because we strongly believe you can taste the love and joy.”
Enter Fast Fuel. Van Aarde said Whirlybird and Fast Fuel share similar values and menu items alongside service and quality, and as customers of Fast Fuel themselves, the Whirlybird owners felt it was a great partnership opportunity. Plus, it created another outlet for Fast Fuel to continue serving the Chippewa Valley.
For folks who had favorites from Whirlybird’s food menu, don’t worry – Fast Fuel kept many of the Whirlybird items and ingredients like the Hulk Smash, Brekky Tacos, and Avo Fire Sauce, while bringing in some of its own best-sellers from the Water Street location and plenty of new items, too. “There’s a nice balance of old, new, and tried-and-true,” Van Aarde said.
Now, Whirlybird’s food menu – re-launched with Fast Fuel – features sandwiches, gourmet toasts, scramble bowls, and specials, for breakfast and lunch (with a kids menu also available).
Meanwhile, MOR plans on partially opening this fall and is hosting a public tour of the building in its current state at 5pm Monday, March 18, as part of Chippewa Falls Main Street’s annual meeting. Catering and live music will be offered after the tour. RSVP for the free tour online by contacting teri@cfms.us.
Visit Whirlybird Coffee Co. and try out Fast Fuel’s food menu inside the Dove Healthcare building at 2829 County Highway I, Chippewa Falls. Keep up with them on Facebook.
