Our Story
Hi, we're Carrie, Charlie, Logan, and Preston, a family who loves the Blue Heron.
Carrie's story with Blue Heron began as a Winona State student from 2005, when it became a favorite spot and instilled her love of coffee, community, and gathering spaces where everyone feels welcome. After graduating, she moved back to the Chicago suburbs, where she met Charlie, then head chef at a neighborhood cafe.
Carrie and Charlie have been together for more than 15 years and married for 13 of them. Winona was always the place Carrie hoped to return to and grow a life and family. As soon as Charlie was on board, they packed a U-Haul and put down roots here in 2019.
That move coincided with a pandemic that wiped out culinary job opportunities, so Charlie found a new path in management roles at Kwik Trip, overseeing culinary operations. A few years later, Carrie and Charlie grew their family through adoption, officially welcoming Logan and Preston in 2021. Charlie stepped away from culinary-related roles in order to be present for early family life. Now, with their kids' lives established and the whole family excited for what's ahead, they're ready to dive back into the Winona culinary scene together.
Why are we doing this?
Nearly 30 years of care went into building Blue Heron Coffeehouse into what it is today, and Larry and Colleen Wolner have entrusted us to carry that forward.
Owning a space of our own, one where food, community, and hospitality all come together, has been a dream of ours forever!
This is a family endeavor in every sense. Our kids are excited to be part of this next chapter, and we can't think of a better place to build both a business and a future than the community that has already given us so much.
We're not asking you to help us build something new. We're asking you to help us steward this community staple that already means the world to this town, and make sure it's here for another 30 years. For us, this isn't just a purchase. It's a dream come true.
Meet the Frederich Family
Rooted in Experience
Carrie's connection to community and the arts runs deep. She's worked at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum, served on the Board of Directors for the Winona Arts Center, and currently serves on the Board for Mainspring in Caledonia, alongside community organizing work throughout the region. That passion for spaces where art, culture, and community come together is a big part of why Blue Heron means so much to her, and why she's excited to steward that role for its next chapter.
Charlie has found a home in kitchens for as long as he's been legally able to work in one, and maybe a little before that. He grew up cooking in his church, leading ambitious projects to feed a congregation of hundreds and building a reputation as a chef the community loved. That passion carried into his career, from head chef at a neighborhood bistro to building and running his own catering business. His style is rooted in comfort, shaped by his St. Louis roots, midwestern staples, and international flavors.
Meet Your Future Baristas
Logan and Preston are already discussing all of the "famous" recipes that they want to bring the the Blue Heron menu. So we hope you like PB&J...
Location
blueheronsnextchapter@gmail.com
(507) 474-8899
Contact
162 W. 2nd St.
Winona, MN 55987