Norwalk getting new coffeeshop

NORWALK — Norwalk is getting a new coffeeshop. Come September, Wild & Free Coffee Co. is opening up at 47 Benedict Ave. near the railroad tracks. While the coffeeshop will be new to Norwalk, the business itself may not be. That's because the owners had created Wild & Free Coffee Co. in 2023 with a food truck to start off with. Starting with the food truck were area residents and owners Becky Drennen, Jenn Waller and Kayla Dawson. Their website has a positive message. "Our mission is to take back our lives. Let's learn to love each other, our planet and the life we're living," the website stated. Contacted at their new business this week, co-owner Drennen said the group received a strong response to the offerings in their mobile unit. "We really had an overwhelming response to our products," Drennen said. "We keep getting questions like, 'When are you going to open your own shop?'" The group sells coffee from Goldberry Roasting Co. Drennen said she drove by the new business location and realized the previous tenant was moving out. She also found out that her realtor, Kim More, also represented the property at this site. "I still had her contact information on my phone, and it looked like it was meant to be," Drennen said. Drennen also said the owners are excited about what they have to offer Norwalk. "We'd like to highlight we really take pride in our ingredients," Drennen said. "There's nothing processed here." In addition to having a seating area, Wild & Free will have a drive-thru window for mobile orders. Other business developments The development that Wild & Free Coffee Co. is opening in Norwalk is just the latest in a string of new businesses that have recently opened or are planning to open in the Maple City: • Mickey Mart is opening a new store on Benedict Avenue where Kaiser-Wells used to be • Scoops and Brews is opening a new ice cream shop on Benedict Avenue where an old abandoned gas station used to be • Lucky Buffet is opening on Plank Road where Brian Buffet used to be. Add to that the recent reopening of Berry's on Main, the recent opening of the Red Shamrock where the Press Box used to be and the Main Street Bistro taking over the lease at 5 E. Main St. Simply put, there's a lot going on in Norwalk. That all has Norwalk Mayor Dave Light beaming. "Well, I knew once we got past the COVID pandemic and back to some normalcy, things would really take off here," Light said. "We've made and are continuing to make significant infrastructure improvements that are needed to support growth for our community." "We have two great school systems, outstanding safety forces and a park system that is second to none," Light continued. "Combine all of these with the wonderful businesses and people we have in Norwalk, it's the perfect place to live. I anticipate a lot of growth over the next few years."