Grace Co Coffee
Grace & Co Coffee: Brewing Small-Town Success
Grace & Co Coffee is brewing something special in a revitalized local building, soon to become Middletown’s very first coffee shop. Owner Sarah Russell’s entrepreneurial journey has steadily progressed from a pop-up bar to a mobile coffee trailer, and now to a brick-and-mortar space set to open in the spring of 2026.
In 2024, Sarah dreamed of becoming a successful business focused on connecting people and building relationships through coffee.
From Mobile Coffee Bar to a Storefront
Sarah started her business by offering coffee bar setups in August 2024. By May 2025, she officially launched the Grace & Co coffee trailer, which allowed her to serve drinks at events, churches, and community gatherings throughout the area. She provides all-inclusive coffee packages, letting hosts treat their guests to Grace & Co beverages.
And now, the business is taking its biggest step yet by opening a brick-and-mortar storefront. The Grace & Co. storefront in downtown Middletown will serve handcrafted drinks and baked goods, offer a welcoming space, and proudly support Indiana roasters, bakers, and local vendors.
As Sarah worked behind the scenes to grow her business, she realized she needed guidance to navigate the complexities of business ownership. She attended a Middletown town meeting to share her plans for the future storefront, and there she was referred to the East Central Indiana Small Business Development Center (SBDC). She connected with Clint Albert, business advisor, who provided guidance and planning resources.
“The SBDC has helped me in so many ways, but most of all, I feel like it has been a place of accountability,” Sarah shared. “Every time I met with my advisor, he pushed me to do more and be better. He told me the honest truth, and I needed that." Through advising, Sarah learned about profitability and planning, and her advisor worked with her to evaluate financial performance and identify changes to become more profitable.
For anyone thinking about working with the East Central Indiana SBDC, Sarah emphasized, “It is absolutely essential. Running a business can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re doing it alone. Having people in your corner who know what they’re doing is incredibly helpful. They have given me many resources, and it has helped tremendously.”
More Than Just Coffee
As Sarah prepares to open the shop’s doors in Middletown, many locals are excited about the new addition to the town. She is creating a space for connections and helping revitalize the small community.
Customers can connect with Grace & Co Coffee on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok, or by stopping by the trailer at public events. “We love getting to know people face-to-face and building real relationships in every community,” said Sarah.