Coffee house with local ties opens in Whitewood, SD

WHITEWOOD, SD - Whitewood's newest business, the Mill Iron Coffee House, is a nod to nostalgia.

Traditional coffee is only part of the offering at the business, located at 1338 Laurel Street. Lattes, mochas, chai teas, frappes, cappuccinos, and cold beverages are also included.

Menu items include pasties in flavors ranging from steak and potato, breakfast, and sauerkraut.

The breakfast pasty includes ham, cheese, egg, and hash browns. A sauerkraut pasty also includes a bratwurst. Other ingredients in the steak and potato pasty are tenderized steak, hash browns, and onions.

Pastries, rolls, scones and pies are also offered. Owner and operator Marla Loken makes most of these and said the menu would expand over time to include hard ice cream and a chicken salad plate.

The business offers a drive-up window, plus a front porch with outdoor seating.

"On the outside, it looks like a brand-new building," said Loken, who grew up at Mill Iron, Mont., and gave the shop that name. "But in here, it's just old things that I like and I feel comfortable with."

One of the displayed photos shows the Mill Iron Ranch, which was part of the Continental Cattle Company from Texas. Marla's mother grew up across the Box Elder creek from those buildings.

People have given Marla sentimental items that are on display. A gingerbread wood pattern displayed over a door came from an old house in Spearfish. One of the tables came from a close friend of Marla's mother; another table came from Alan's family.

"I'm very sentimental and nostalgic," Loken said. "That's why I save things from my childhood."

The town of Mill Iron had a bar, grocery store, and post office in one building. A church and one-room schoolhouse were also part of the town.

Marla still has family on the ranch where she grew up.

Her son and daughter-in-law purchased King's Pasties in Lead. Original plans called for the pasties shop to come to Whitewood.

Plans changed, and the shop remained in Lead. Marla, however, was convinced she could still open a coffee house without that pasties shop.

"We wanted to see something good for Whitewood," Loken said. Two empty lots along Laurel Street were purchased one year ago. Future plans include business rentals on the other part of the property.

That desire for Whitewood extends to all business operations.

"I could have a truck deliver everything to me, but I choose to help support the local community," Marla said. That includes purchasing groceries and materials from Whitewood.

The business employs six people: two fulltime and four part-time.

Marla's husband Alan erected the building. The couple designed the interior, which includes a fireplace and 18-member meeting room.

Opening day was June 2. Hours are 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to noon Saturday. Those wishing to reserve the meeting room may call 717-1771.