A downtown Nampa coffee business is marking 20 years in operation with a community celebration this week, continuing a legacy that began when the city’s downtown corridor looked very different than it does today.
Flying M Coffeegarage will host an anniversary event Tuesday evening from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at its Nampa location. The celebration will feature carnival-style games, a cold brew bar, a barista dunk tank, and raffle proceeds benefiting the Nampa Family Justice Center.
From Teenage Employee to Business Owner
Co-owner Chloe Hanson’s connection to the business spans most of its two-decade history. She first worked at the shop as a teenager after her parents opened the Nampa location in 2006, though she didn’t initially envision it as her career path.
Hanson and her husband Adam, along with business partner Shaun King, purchased the coffee shop from her parents in 2020. Kevin and Lisa Myers had previously acquired the original Flying M Coffeehouse in Boise before expanding to Nampa. The Flying M brand now operates four locations across Idaho, including shops in Caldwell and McCall.
Betting on Downtown Nampa’s Potential
When the Myers family decided to expand beyond Boise in 2006, downtown Nampa presented a different picture than today’s revitalized corridor. Hanson described the area as struggling at that time, with only a handful of businesses operating in the district.
The family selected a 6,000-square-foot former Firestone automotive shop that had also served as a pawn shop. The renovation process took more than a year and required extensive work, including removing oil from floors and clearing automotive debris. Kevin Myers chose the location partly for its abundant natural light, which he considered essential for a morning coffee business, and its visibility from main traffic routes.
Lisa Myers grew up in Nampa and wanted to create a gathering space for her hometown community, according to her daughter.
Family Business Model Continues
The current ownership team divides responsibilities according to their strengths. Chloe Hanson handles creative direction, drawing on her background in graphic design from the University of Washington. Her husband Adam, an engineer by training, learned coffee roasting from Chloe’s father and manages the technical aspects of the operation.
King served as a manager under the previous owners and has worked at the shop since near its opening. He oversees daily operations and maintains the espresso equipment. His wife Liz serves as shop manager.
Two Decades of Coffee and Community
The Nampa location is part of a regional presence that began when the Myers family identified a gap in Boise’s coffee market two decades ago, inspired by the coffee culture they observed in Seattle. After establishing success in Boise, they brought that model to Canyon County.
Tuesday’s anniversary celebration is open to the public and runs through 8 p.m. at the downtown Nampa location.