A cafe and roastery in the Exchange District

The people behind Prairie Ash

The empty cafe before opening, chairs on the tables, arched windows and the roaster behind its glass wall

Dana spent years behind other people's counters before she found an empty brick storefront in the Exchange District. She wanted a cafe where the coffee is roasted in the room, so the first thing she built was the glass wall. Mara joined to run the roaster, and Prairie Ash opened with nine people on the team.

How we roast and source coffee

Who you will meet at the counter

Dana's hands lock a portafilter into the espresso machine at the bar, a cup waiting on the drip tray

Dana, owner

Dana owns Prairie Ash and works the bar on weekday mornings from 7:00. Ask her about the building and the glass wall to the roastery.

Mara's hands sort green coffee beans on a wooden tray by the window, picking broken beans into an enamel bowl

Mara, head roaster

Mara roasts on Tuesdays and Fridays from about 8:00 and runs the free cupping on the first Saturday of each month at 10:00.

Get directions Read about the roastery