Prineville, Ore. – A Country Coffee stand celebrated its one year anniversary on Monday since opening in Prineville under the ownership by its franchisee, Devon Scott.
Country Coffee is a small Oregon chain of coffee stands that was founded by Melanie Ward in 2012, opening the company’s first stand that year in Boring, Oregon. Ward, who continues to hold a strong memory with many of the chains current employees and franchisees, died in a tragic ATV accident on her property in March of 2022. At that time the business had five franchises according to KGW News.
After opening in 2012, Ward eventually started to franchise the business with great success in the years before her passing, which has continued since. Many of the locations, including Scott’s Prineville stand, continue to celebrate and honor Ward every Monday, which they call “Mel Monday”.
Many of the Monday social media posts share different photos of Ward from her times working her stand or special moments with her family. Ward left behind a husband and twin children.
The franchise now has nearly 20 different locations throughout Central Oregon, the Columbia George, and around the Portland Metro area.
Scott opened up her Coffee Country stand as a franchisees last October according to a Facebook post which also thanked the community for supporting the business.
“Thank you to the Prineville community for welcoming us and for all of our customers!” the post said.
Scott’s Manager, Brooke Ward (unsure of any relation to Melanie Ward), and Barista Katie Martin spoke with the Prineville Review on Monday, explaining their love of working for a smaller coffee stand and serving customers from all around the Prineville and Crook County community.
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“I really enjoy working a stand in a small town like Prineville — you really get to know the community much more than you would say working for a Starbucks or Dutch Bros in a larger city,” said Martin.
The Country Coffee Prineville stand can be found at 400 NE Combs Flat Road in Prineville, right behind the 76 Gas Station and Taco Time. Scott’s stand also frequently posts about regular specials on its social media pages, including its Instagram and Facebook page.
