River Mill Coffee Co: How Two Teachers Brought Coffee to Rural Nebraska

When Heather and Rachael, two teachers from small-town Nebraska, decided to open their own coffee shop, they knew it would be a risk. But a magazine article, a song at a concert and a reconsidered building offer ushered in a new season of coffee shop ownership at River Mill Coffee Company.

The duo shared a mutual best friend and first met as members of their friend’s wedding bridal party. But they reconnected years later when their kids attended the same school and formed a friendship.

“We were both dreamers, both entrepreneur-minded,” Heather says. As they bonded over their faith and big ideas, the concept of opening a coffee shop took shape.

From an Old Building to a New Idea

Their small community lacked gathering spaces outside of the local library and bars. One day, they spotted an charming old building for sale in their town of Neligh, Nebraska. “It’s this little cabin, and it’s got this cute front porch,” Rachael gushes.

At first, they hesitated. But when reading an article about entrepreneurs in Magnolia Magazine, Rachael was struck by a quote about taking risks. That’s when the two put in an offer.

Their first offer was rejected, leading them to consider another location. One evening, Rachael and Heather were at a For King and Country concert, listening to the song, “Fight On, Fighter.” They got a call during the song that the original owners had changed their minds and accepted the terms.

“We went down to the hardware store and bought some masks and gloves, and we just came in here with a crowbar,” Heather laughs.

Source: River Mill Coffee Co. Facebook

Building Out River Mill Coffee Co.

With the building secured, Heather and Rachael dove into the formation of their coffee shop. The two quit their teaching jobs, attended Texas Coffee School in May of 2021. They built a business concept around celebrating the rural community in a modern way.

Source: River Mill Coffee Co. Facebook

Their hard work paid off when River Mill Coffee Co. opened its doors in the fall of 2021. The space is adorned with local art, live-edge tables, and a hearty menu. And because River Mill Coffee Co. is located right on Highway 275, they welcome a lot of cross-country travelers, and even a priest who insists on enjoying his macchiato the traditional Italian way — standing up.

Heather and Rachael lean on what they call their “Texas Coffee School Bible,” the 200+ page binder of class notes, financial plan, spreadsheets, operations manuals, location analysis tool, cafe designs, equipment lists, vendor lists, and recipes that you get in the 3-Day Coffee Business Master Class.

How These Texas Coffee School Coffeepreneurs® Succeeded

The two skills they brought from their teaching days are resilience and flexibility. But coffee shop ownership is “taxing physically, and people don’t understand how much of your life you have to devote to it,” Heather says. Now three years in, they’ve weathered the initial challenges of entrepreneurship and have gotten into a groove. Heather and Rachael even received the 2023 Entrepreneur Award by the Center for Rural Affairs!

Other coffee shops have popped up in the area after seeing River Mill’s success. But River Mill Coffee Co. stands out because it’s not just about the business, it’s about the mission — creating a gathering place in small town USA. Heather and Rachael work hard and never sacrifice quality.

Source: River Mill Coffee Co. Facebook

Kickstart Your Coffee Shop Idea Today

If you’ve got an idea — or even a location and a business plan — for a coffee shop, Texas Coffee School is where you get the business off the ground. In our 3-Day Coffee Business Master Class, a team of experts walks you through the steps and number-crunching of launching a coffee shop. Plus, you’ll walk away with the resources you need to endure those initial years of entrepreneurship.

Sign up here before the next class is full. See you in the classroom!