SOVEREIGN GROUNDS

MINNEAPOLIS, MN
VISIT WEBSITE

Coffee can be a parent’s best friend, but sadly, is often consumed out of a chipped mug in a loud car while running errands and wiping noses and, oh yeah, has almost always turned unintentionally cold. What if there could be a kid-friendly coffeehouse where you could prop up your feet or do a little work while your chillens are chillin’ in a sea of safe toys? I would drink to that! The good news is, this place already exists in South Minneapolis. Not only are the beverages hot and the bakery items fresh, but the big couches and a firm belief that “kids aren’t just tolerated, they are welcomed” makes me want to spend all my cold and rainy days here.

What is it?

Sovereign Grounds is a neighborhood coffee shop and playground that been around since 1995. The owner is Hakan Sezer, a kind and humorous fellow from Turkey who proudly wears a Big Lebowski t-shirt on the regular (which immediately makes me adore him). The drinks are unique and tasty and come in a big ol’ grandma mug, usually topped with one of those frothy floral designs. They also offer a variety of healthy kiddie treats for cheap. There are giant leather chairs and tables and a belly-up bar to sip espresso. It’s often quiet and feels super intimate for a date with just you and your laptop or you and an actual date. And that’s just the coffee shop side! Directly across from the entrance is the newly-remodeled play area (early 2014). Remove your shoes and sip your java from a worn-in sofa while your kids run and play pretend with toys that are fun (because they’re not theirs). It’s simply a genius concept, and although I’ve thought it many times (like every morning when my first sip of Folgers is ice cold), I’m so thankful that Hakan actually read my mind and made this happen.

Fit for what ages?

The play area is definitely for the younger crowd. I’d say once you get older than six, you might want to order a juice and bring a comic book, because the toys are definitely more geared toward toddlers. There are some soft, squishy blocks for babies and, because shoes are not allowed in the play area, it is relatively clean for crawlers. A train table, doll house, play cabin, mini piano, and kitchen set are just a few of the bigger toys in the newly-remodeled playroom, so you can be the age-judge, but my suggestion would be for ages one to six.

How much are we talkin?

While the play room is free, obviously purchasing a beverage or (crazy delicious) baked good is gracious patronage. Price of coffees, salads, and scones are pretty equivalent to those of the big-name coffee shops we all frequent, so nothing should shock you here, except how nummy their chocolate chip pumpkin loaf is. They sell everything from $.50 GoGurts to $15 pounds of Turkish coffee beans. There is a credit card minimum and (if my memory serves me correctly) it is $5.

Want some tips?

They have bathrooms in both the coffeehouse and play area. There are re or three parking spots in the back, but neighborhood street parking is plentiful (some metered, most not). Note that all parking in he front door lot belongs to Ken & Norms Liquor. Shoes must be removed before entering the play area. There are some cubbies for shoes, purses or whatever else you’d like to store, but I never really use them. I’ve been here a number of times, and have found that during the week, early mornings tend to be much busier than “nap time” hours (so, like 12-3 is pretty slow). When it’s busy, it’s really busy. I have sat on the floor in the hall near the restroom and at the kiddy kitchen table due to crowds in the actual chairs, but you can really fit a lot of bodies in this space before you feel completely claustrophobic. And, seriously, the staff and patrons are some of the friendliest folks ever, who will strike up a conversation about anything and everything mostly because they are parents just like you who are equally as thrilled to be drinking hot coffee as you are.

The neighborhood is perfect. It’s small, but sure knows how to pack a punch. I like to linger until lunch so I can hit up Town Hall Tap right across the street – worth the linger, I promise. If pub food’s not your thing, try Pepitos Mexican, Turtle Bread Company, or Pizza Biga (only open for dinner, but was worth a mention). I haven’t forgotten about dessert – Pumphouse Creamery is a single-location, award-winning, right-across-the-street must-have for an ice cream finale. Feeling fat after all that? Minnehaha Parkway is right nearby if a bike ride or family walk can make the agenda. Simply a gorgeous area, with its weeping willow trees and picturesque landscaping.

One more (then I’ll stop). I always force my kids to run through the Primp Boutique with me when we are there. Cheap and chic women’s clothing for a reasonable price. We only last about five minutes in here before they get “bored,” but I’m a fast shopper.

Hours and Location

813 East 48th Street  |  Minneapolis, MN 55417
Sovereign Grounds is open 6:30am – 8pm, Monday-Saturday and 8am – 8pm on Sunday. The coffee shop is located directly on the corner of Chicago and East 48th, next to Ken & Norm’s Liquor. Bring change in case you land yourself a quarter-only metered parking spot.

Follow Sovereign Grounds on Facebook to hear updated hours and see photos of the playroom.