Coon Rapids Advances Riverdale Village Redevelopment With Approval of Drive-Thru Coffee Site

COON RAPIDS, Minn. - At its regular meeting on December 18, 2025, the Coon Rapids Planning Commission approved a site plan that marks a notable step in the ongoing redevelopment of Riverdale Village. The decision cleared the way for a drive-thru-only coffee concept at 12792 Riverdale Boulevard NW, while also advancing discussions on several significant residential and commercial projects elsewhere in the city.

The primary agenda item, Planning Case 25-14, centered on a proposal that has been referenced in some summaries as “Quber Coffee.” City records clarify that the petitioner is Kueber Coffee Minnesota, LLC, a regional franchisee for the rapidly expanding Seven Brew Coffee brand. Commissioners ultimately approved the plan, despite lingering concerns related to parking impacts and communication gaps with existing tenants.

A Carved-Out Site in Riverdale Village

The approved site occupies a carved-out portion of the Riverdale Village parking lot at the shopping center’s southeastern corner. It is located directly east of The Vitamin Shoppe and south of the large building formerly occupied by JCPenney.

Rather than a single structure, the proposal features two modular buildings designed to separate customer service from back-of-house functions:

• A 510-square-foot service building that will serve as the hub for drink preparation and customer interaction
• A 410-square-foot storage building dedicated to ingredients and supplies, allowing the primary structure to remain uncluttered and efficient

Vehicle access will be provided from both Riverdale Boulevard and River Rapids Drive, with River Rapids Drive designated as the primary ingress to limit congestion along the busier commercial corridor.

Operations Built Around Speed and Volume

Commissioners spent considerable time examining the operational model, which differs from traditional drive-thru coffee shops. Seven Brew locations do not rely on fixed speaker boxes. Instead, staff members known as “texters” walk between vehicles and take orders on iPads, allowing multiple cars to be served simultaneously.

To support this model, the site plan includes 24 stacking spaces across two drive-thru lanes, a design intended to keep queued vehicles entirely on site. The applicant projected staffing levels of seven to ten employees per shift, increasing to as many as 20 staff members during high-volume periods such as the grand opening.

Representatives assured the commission that traffic flow would be actively managed during peak events to prevent spillover into adjacent drive aisles or public streets.

Architecture, Materials, and Signage

The commission approved a modern exterior design using Nichiha fiber cement panels, a high-end material that mimics the appearance of brick. The buildings will be finished in a beige and black color palette consistent with newer commercial development within Riverdale Village.

Landscaping plans include overstory trees and shrubs that meet the city’s updated ordinance requirements. One outstanding item involves signage. Because of zoning limitations, additional signage on the west side of the service building may require a separate variance application if the applicant chooses to pursue it.

Parking Loss and Tenant Communication

The most technical and debated issue was parking. The drive-thru layout requires the removal of 15 parking spaces, prompting concern from nearby retailers. City planning staff presented data showing that Riverdale Village currently operates with a substantial parking surplus well above minimum zoning requirements. Based on that analysis, the commission concluded the loss would have a negligible impact on overall parking availability.

During the public hearing, commissioners also addressed a communication lapse between the Riverdale Village property manager and existing tenants. Several businesses indicated they were not fully briefed on the scope or timing of the project. While the issue did not affect the final vote, the commission formally noted the concern and urged better coordination and transparency between property owners, brokers, and tenants in future redevelopment efforts.

Approval With Conditions

The site plan was approved with standard conditions. Any future modification exceeding 30 percent of the approved design will be required to return to the Planning Commission for additional review.

Other Projects on the Horizon

The meeting concluded with updates on several other high-profile developments:

• Balcony Farms, also referred to as Balfany Farms, where commissioners reviewed a preliminary plat for a 29-unit single-family development near Shenandoah Boulevard and 123rd Lane NW. A formal public hearing on the planned unit development is scheduled for January 15, 2026.
• A proposed Asian grocery store planned for the former Wells Fargo building near the intersection of Coon Rapids Boulevard and Round Lake Boulevard, a move expected to fill a long-standing retail gap in the area.
• A broader Seven Brew expansion strategy, with staff noting that Kueber Coffee Minnesota, LLC is pursuing multiple Twin Cities locations, including a recently approved site in Minnetonka, signaling a coordinated regional rollout.

With no further business, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to adjourn, closing a meeting that underscored both the momentum and the growing pains of redevelopment in one of Coon Rapids’ most prominent commercial districts.

This story is part of MinneapoliMedia’s ongoing coverage of development, planning, and economic change across the north metro.

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