Grounded reopens as Magic Mountain Coffee

Sierra and Ben Bates have always wanted to own a business and found the perfect opportunity in taking ownership of Mountain Magic Coffee.
    Sierra worked for the coffee stand with the previous owner when it was called Grounded starting in March. As soon as the couple saw the stand was up for sale, they were interested in purchasing the business and keeping it locally owned.
“We’ve always kind of wanted to start our own business one way or another, and it just kind of worked out really awesome that this one was set up looking to get passed on,” Ben said, “because [the previous owner] had it for almost three years before we took over. So, she did a lot of the groundwork.”
The couple said they took over the coffee stand in August. The coffee stand was never closed. They simply transferred the new name and ownership once they owned the business. Some people have been surprised by the new ownership, Sierra said, but she has been honoring the “old Grounded stuff,” like punch cards.
The previous owner also wished for the coffee shop to continue to be locally owned. The previous owner is currently helping the Bates in their transition to owning the coffee stand. The Bates are paying for ownership of the coffee stand over a three-year period.
Sierra said that when she saw the only people interested in buying the coffee stand were out of the state, she decided to do whatever she could to keep the business locally owned. Ben said other local buyers may have been reluctant to make an offer because the coffee stand has had several owners in the past.
Ben said it took a few weeks of nonstop work to transfer ownership of the coffee shop and that the nonstop work hasn’t let up since. Magic Mountain Coffee is open six days a week and on Sundays the couple goes to Billings to restock inventory. They currently have no employees.
Both Ben and Sierra are working at the coffee stand full-time. Ben left his job in construction after they owned the stand for a month.
“In September, I was able to leave my job, and we’re both full-time now at the coffee shop. And so, it’s able to pay for itself plus us,” he said.
The couple said they have kept the pricing on the menu at the same cost, and they do not plan to majorly change prices. Sierra said they are constantly working on the menu, adding new things. The most popular drinks at the stand are frappes and blended drinks.
Ben had no prior experience working with coffee before buying the business.
“I can’t say I really knew much about coffee before this year. It was more of a passion of hers to get into it, and once she started working there, we both started getting into it,” he said.
Ben said that he has learned a lot about coffee from his wife who is definitely a coffee expert. He said that being his own boss and taking control of his time has been the best part of owning the business, especially the flexibility to spend time with his son.
“My favorite part is seeing the people’s faces,” Sierra said. “Like when you give them the right drink and they’re happy to see the sprinkles we put on the whipped cream and even the pup cup we give (dogs), just making people’s faces smile.”
Magic Mountain Coffee is open Monday through Friday 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at 1107 Nevada Avenue.