News

Jun 28, 2025

Wausau coffee shop completes its mission, set to close next week

WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) - There’s just two more days left to get coffee from Mission Grounds Espresso on Bridge Street. Their service windows will permanently close on Monday afternoon. Mission grounds,

WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) - There’s just two more days left to get coffee from Mission Grounds Espresso on Bridge Street. Their service windows will permanently close on Monday afternoon.

Mission grounds, an extension of Bridge Street Mission, has served drinks and goodies for six years now. Inside, they are serving up more than your favorite latte.

“When she talks to you. It’s like you’re the only person in the room,” Barista Jackie Fieck said.

“I love serving and I love ministry and so that’s just been the heart and soul of all that I’ve done,” Mission Grounds Espresso Manager Marcia Stencil said.

Stencil has been with Mission Grounds, and making an impact, since they opened in 2019.

“If you make their drink right and you serve them well. You have now spoke almost like a love language to them, and so they want to come back because it’s an experience for them.”

Stencil came up with every drink at Mission Grounds. Each of those drinks are served with a listening ear, and an open heart.

“This week, I’ve had so many people say it supports a great cause,” Fieck said. “It’s wonderful, but I came because of Marcia. I came because she made me feel seen. I came because she was so loving in the drive-thru window that it got me through that day.”

Bridge Street Mission says the coffee shop has served its purpose, and they have to shift their resources to continuing to support the growing number of unhoused people in Wausau. They are grateful for the attention the coffee shop has brought to their mission and the connections made through drinks.

“I just want to give a tremendous thank you to all of our customers that supported us because it’s been an amazing experience,” Stencil said.

Even though they’re closing, Marcia is not done with her mission. She has also been operating Espresso Lodge for 20 years now, which supports missionaries abroad through their coffee drinks.

On Friday night at Doepke Park, there is a customer appreciation event for Mission Grounds Espresso, with free food and activities until 8 p.m.

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