Howdy Coffee, situated on the west end of Broken Bow at the former Taco John’s location, officially marked its grand opening on Thursday, following a soft launch in early June. The celebration, attended by local dignitaries and community members, highlighted the culmination of a multi-year venture by owners Barry Fox, Stuart Fox, and Cody Schmick.
The path to opening Howdy Coffee involved a thorough examination of potential franchises and the viability of a new coffee shop in Broken Bow. Schmick reflected on the transition from the soft opening to the grand opening, noting that the process has been both educational and rewarding.
“We’ve been learning a lot and focusing on trends to ensure we offer the best coffee in Broken Bow,” Schmick stated. “My passion for coffee rivals my love for beer, and we wanted to get it right from the start. Collaborating with local roasters from Burwell has been fantastic, and we’re pleased with how the business has evolved. The community response has been overwhelming, and our drive-thru is busy every morning.”
The idea for Howdy Coffee gained momentum after McDonald’s closure across town and support from staff at Kinkaider Brewing Company, another venture of the owners. Schmick shared that the decision to launch Howdy Coffee was driven by a shared enthusiasm for brand growth and a passion for local products.
“We’ve seen strong community support for both local beer and coffee,” Schmick explained. “Barry and I enjoy building new brands, and Stuart’s expertise has been invaluable. We’re excited about growing this new venture.”
The coffee shop’s menu includes a variety of food items, such as kolaches, breakfast burritos, sandwiches, frittatas, avocado toast, yogurt parfaits, and cronuts, a pastry dusted with cinnamon sugar and topped with cream cheese frosting. The drink menu features classic options and unique Howdy Coffee creations.
Upcoming fall specials include a Pumpkin Blondie, Vanilla Chai with Pumpkin Cold Foam, and Pumpkin Shaken Espresso. Schmick highlighted that these seasonal offerings are crafted with high-quality ingredients, including chai made from full tea leaves and spices sourced from Omaha.
Howdy Coffee operates Monday through Friday from 6 AM to 4 PM and on weekends from 7 AM to 5 PM.