MADISON TOWNSHIP — Jessica Backensto founded Pump & Grind with the mission to serve “coffee, music and friends.”
Just over two years into operating the gourmet coffee shop, the business has grown into a new space with triple the seating, and a new drive-thru.
“We outgrew the other space, so now my goal is to fill this space and make everyone feel at home and cozy in here,” she said Monday during opening day of the new shop.
Pump & Grind’s new address is 586 Park Ave. East just east of The Golden Burrito. Some parking spaces are at the front of the building and a large lot is available at the back entrance for customers dining in.
Expanded hours are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday–Friday and 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Pump & Grind serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Backensto said the new location has a large kitchen, allowing Pump & Grind to expand its food menu. The shop introduced hand-pressed burgers this week.
“I think once people start learning about our burgers, those will be pretty popular,” she said. “They’re half-pound, fresh burgers and we season them ourselves.”
The owner said her personal favorite orders are the grinder bowl — including eggs, a biscuit, gravy and hashbrowns, and the raspberry cheesecake latte.
When Pump & Grind first opened, it was only serving coffee, tea and pastries, but Backensto added a food menu about two months into operation.
Two dining rooms offer options for Pump & Grind customers
Backensto thanked her husband Adam, the shop’s 14 staff members, her family and multiple local businesses that helped with sign installation and building renovations during the move.
“We put almost all of this together in a matter of two weeks,” she said. “When I learned this place was available, we really couldn’t pass it up. It’s truly amazing the support we have, it’s been a family affair — we couldn’t have done this without them.”
Pump & Grind’s new space at 586 Park Ave. East has two dining rooms — one closer to the kitchen and a larger area that will open when the shop is full or for larger groups that need it.
“This area by the order counter has bar seating if you want to watch TV or have a bloody mary or a beer,” Backensto said.
“The other dining room is a bit quieter and has a lot of space.”
Backensto said she would like to eventually install larger windows in Pump & Grind’s new location.
“We had huge windows in the old place and I kind of miss them,” she said. “But we have an outdoor patio now for when it’s nice outside, which I’m really excited about.”
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