Five years ago, the idea that started Happy Monday & Co became a reality. From a small pottery brand in one owner’s basement, they truly began as a “coffee cart” that popped up in events all around the Twin Cities. All the while, they were looking for a permanent location. After a local church moved out, they had a grand opening on Sept. 14, 2024 at their new location at 2420 Cleveland Ave N, Roseville, MN. Happy Monday & Co is open almost every day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and beyond coffee, their menu includes Mogi bagels and Heggies pizza.

I loved the coffee shop from the moment I walked in. The tall, large windows let in so much light and the swirling snow outside created a cozy feeling. The place looks like a refurbished warehouse, all one big room with echoey walls, but the boho style with comfortable couches, carpets and plants and defined sitting and studying areas created a nice atmosphere. 

The menu is not robust, but has all the well-loved classics. I leanedmore towards a non-coffee drink and decided upon the chai latte over the matcha only because of the comparing prices. Of course I did still have to try some coffee so I ordered a cappuccino. I thought about ordering food, but the selection was small, and I decided against it. 

The drinks were ready quickly, and the chai latte had a cute milky leaf on the top. My first impression of the chai was a delicious, warm and spice-full sip with a light and airy cream. However, as I drank it, I realized it did not have quite as flavorful a punch as I would have liked and tasted a lot like hot milk. Overall, it was not bad by any means, but could have had a stronger chai flavor. 

The cappuccino came in an adorable ceramic mug and a tray with a little shot glass of sparkling water. It felt very Italian and authentic. My first impression of it was also delicious, it had a deep and rich flavor and tasted like well-brewed, dark coffee. My only caveat was that it had a bit too much of a bitter aftertaste, more than the normal coffee bitterness. I would not by any means call myself a coffee connoisseur, but I do enjoy a good cup of straight black coffee and have tried good Italian cappuccinos. It did feel very authentic, though, and I loved being able to chase it down with the sparkling water. I am not sure if the aftertaste is some kind of acquired taste or a kind of accident, but I would not recommend the cappuccino if you do not like bitter coffee. 

The cafe as a whole was a lovely experience, even if I did feel surrounded by millennials, but the prices felt quite reasonable and the vibes were immaculate. I would definitely visit again and bring a friend for a cozy afternoon chat. Overall, I rate Happy Monday & Co a 4 out of 5 as an adorable place to visit for a new experience out of your normal routine. 

Verdict: 4/5