Mocha Monkey is an organic, earth friendly and community conscious coffee shop that’s built into an old house that occupies two levels. Definitely not something that I expected to find in rural Minnesota, but it was a refreshing surprise. On the main level is the coffee bar with little wooden tables and a fireplace with leather lounging chairs and sofas. Upstairs has more seating where you can take a look at as well as buy art and photography from local artists. It is everything that I would want Scared Panda to be if it were a coffee shop.

There are three things that I really liked about the place; 1) My Zebra Mocha was delicious 2) They work with local artists to help promote and sell their work 3) This incredibly awesome list of good things they use (or don’t use)

• Hormone-free milk
• Organic coffee, espresso and tea
• Ghiradelli chocolate-not reconstituted from powder
• Fruit smoothies from 100% fruit & juice
• Real whipped cream sweetened with vanilla syrup
• Gelato made with organic raw sugar (not bleached)
• Cold cups made from 100% corn product
• Hot cups with a recycled liner
• Napkins and paper towels from recycled, unbleached paper
• Toxic free, natural cleaning products
• We recycle glass, plastic, cardboard, paper and aluminum
• Many wines from the industry leaders in sustainability practices
• Friendly, knowledgable employees

So, the next time you find yourself in the outer regions of the Twin Cities definitely check this place out.

Matty & Clint showing off their Scared Panda merch

Matty & Kate tending to the merch table

Tall bike t-shirts all around

Tall Bike Love display set

Check out more pictures from the event on Flickr.