A new Ziggi’s Coffee franchise opens its doors in Monument in July, blending scenic design, local values and small-town hospitality with a rapidly growing Colorado-born brand.

Franchise owner Greg Bland, along with his wife Jill, moved to Monument after a visit sparked an unexpected love affair with the town. The couple, originally from Washington state and high school sweethearts, were instantly drawn to Monument’s small-town charm, strong family values and deep appreciation for the outdoors.

“We visited Monument a few years ago from northern Colorado and instantly fell in love with it,” Greg Bland said. “It reminded us of the small town we grew up in together. We moved here and bought our forever home.”

With its rapidly growing population, accessible location along I-25, and strong education and financial demographics, the Blands saw Monument as the ideal place to launch their newest Ziggi’s Coffee location, Bland said. But for them, the decision was rooted in more than just market strategy.

“Selfishly, we wanted to create a great place for local folks to work and hang out, a fun atmosphere for the amazing people in Monument,” Bland said. “Whether enjoying the views or the good company of a friend, we wanted to build something special here.”

The Monument Ziggi’s was carefully designed to reflect what Bland describes as a “mountain chic vibe.” Emphasizing natural beauty and a cozy, welcoming atmosphere, the building features large windows, a penny-colored roof which reflects the area’s golden sunsets, and rustic accents which mirror the surrounding landscape, he said.

“We felt Monument needed more buildings with windows and fewer bricks to really take in the amazing scenery,” Bland said. “So we created something you might see in a mountain town in the Rockies. Elevated, but still warm and homey.”

The exterior features repurposed barn wood framing both the entrance and the drive-thru window, along with local natural stone along the base of the building. Inside, guests are able to warm up next to a two-sided see-through glass fireplace in the winter or enjoy the large pergola-covered patio during summer and fall, complete with views of Pikes Peak and Mount Herman.

“We designed this building with Monument in mind,” Bland said. “It’s pretty enough to blend into the neighborhood, but still stands out as something unique.”

While coffee remains the cornerstone of Ziggi’s offerings, the Monument location will serve a wide variety of guests. In addition to lattes and espressos, the menu includes smoothies, Italian sodas, gluten-free items and even “dirty sodas,” a popular beverage trend involving flavored sodas mixed with cream or syrups.

Food options range from breakfast burritos and pastries to sausage bagel sandwiches, paninis and cake pops.

“We have something for everyone,” Bland said. “It’s not just a coffee shop, it’s a place to meet, relax, or work. Whether you’re a student, a busy parent, or a local business owner, we want to be your go-to spot.

“Our hope is that this location becomes a central hub between the bustle of the southwest side of town, nearby schools, and the surrounding neighborhoods. Ideally, it’s a cozy place for friends to gather, a meeting space for professionals, or a little sanctuary for parents needing a break.”

Bland emphasized the importance of hiring locally, noting nearly a dozen Monument-area employees have already been brought on board, with more training underway at Ziggi’s other locations in Colorado Springs. When fully operational, the store will employ up to 25 people, primarily part-time, with a few full-time management roles.

“We love being able to offer jobs in the community,” Bland said. “We’re even excited to be the ‘first job’ for some young workers. And we promote from within whenever we can.”

With three other Ziggi’s locations already operating in Colorado Springs and several more in northern Colorado, the Blands have built a strong foundation with the brand; however, their roots remain firmly planted in Monument.

“This is our hometown now,” Bland said. “We’re not just another corporate coffee chain. You’ll see us in the store. You’ll meet us. Our 12-year-old son Easton will probably be working there soon, too.”

Ziggi’s Coffee began in 2004 as a single coffee shop in Longmont, founded by Brandon and Camrin Knudsen. Driven by a vision of creating a community-focused coffee company with high-quality products and customer-first values, the couple expanded their model to include franchising in 2016.

Since then, Ziggi’s has grown rapidly, boasting more than 120 locations across 20 states and over 300 franchise licenses awarded. Despite the rapid growth, the company remains locally operated out of its headquarters in Mead.

That mission aligned perfectly with what the Blands were looking for when Jill decided to pursue her long-time dream of owning a coffee shop.

“We looked at a few other coffee brands, but after visiting with Ziggi’s founders and talking to other franchise owners, we knew it was the right fit,” Bland said. “Their community-centric approach, how they treat employees, and the overall vibe. It all resonated with us.”

Their first franchise location was among the company’s first 10 to open, and the Blands have remained involved as the brand scaled up across the country.

True to Ziggi’s values, the new location is already getting involved in the local community. The Blands have planned a full week of grand opening celebrations, featuring special offers and donation-based events. They’re already supporting both local high schools and are planning a “give-back day” for Bear Creek Elementary once school resumes.

Each year, the café will host a free drink day for educators, offer military and first responder discounts, and celebrate Veterans Day with special offerings, Bland said.

“We love forming partnerships with other businesses, nonprofits, and schools,” he said. “There’s plenty of business to go around, and we believe connecting, even with competitors, makes us all better.”

For now, the Blands are focused on making their Monument location a community staple, one coffee cup, friendly conversation, and mountain sunset at a time.