Flying M Coffeegarage Marks 20 Years in Downtown Nampa with Community Celebration
NAMPA, Idaho — Flying M Coffeegarage, one of downtown Nampa’s most recognizable gathering spots, is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a public party on Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event will feature carnival games, a barista dunk tank, a cold brew bar, and a raffle benefiting the Nampa Family Justice Center — a fitting tribute to two decades of community connection in the heart of Canyon County.
A Family Business With Deep Nampa Roots
The story of Flying M Coffeegarage is, at its core, a story about family, community, and the kind of long-term investment in a place that transforms a city block into something lasting. Co-owner Chloe Hanson grew up in Nampa and worked at the Flying M during her high school years — never quite imagining she would one day own the place.
“My parents opened the Nampa Flying M in 2006 when I was in high school,” Hanson said in remarks reported by the Idaho Press. “At that time I didn’t know I wanted to be part of the family business. I was getting ready to go to college in the next two years, and didn’t think that I would return to Nampa to take over Flying M. I think it’s just really special to see that sort of full-circle moment of coming home and then being able to see this business flourish as we’ve taken over.”
Hanson, her husband Adam, and longtime friend and business partner Shaun King purchased the Coffeegarage in 2020 from Chloe’s parents, Kevin and Lisa Myers, who originally founded the Flying M brand. The Myerses had first opened the Flying M Coffeehouse in Boise after observing coffee culture taking hold in Seattle and recognizing a gap in the Boise market. When that location succeeded, they set their sights on Nampa.
At the time, Chloe Hanson noted, downtown Nampa looked much different. “There was a lot to be rebuilt and rediscovered in downtown, and there were a handful of businesses, but it wasn’t what it is today,” she said. “I think for them to pour that intention and spirit into a space that was a pawn shop (and mechanic shop) is pretty incredible.”
From Firestone Shop to Community Anchor
The transformation of the 6,000-square-foot former Firestone garage into a welcoming coffee destination was no small undertaking. The renovation took more than a year and included scrubbing oil off floors and clearing out nails and old tires. Kevin Myers selected the location in part because of its abundant natural light — a quality he considered essential for a morning coffee shop — and its strong traffic visibility.
The location also carried personal meaning. Lisa Myers grew up in Nampa, and opening a shop there was about giving back to her hometown. “She wanted something for her community,” Chloe Hanson said. “A hub where people could gather and enjoy coffee.”
That vision has clearly taken root. The Flying M brand has since grown to four locations, including a shop in Caldwell and Flying M Lakeside in McCall, making it a recognizable name across the Treasure Valley and beyond.
A Team Built on Craft and Dedication
The current ownership structure divides responsibilities by strength. Chloe handles the creative side of the business, drawing on a background in graphic design and experience working for a family-owned champagne importer in Seattle. Adam, an engineer by training, learned coffee roasting from Kevin Myers and manages the technical and machinery side of operations. Shaun King, who managed the shop for years under the previous owners, oversees front-of-house operations and maintains the espresso equipment. His wife, Liz King, serves as shop manager.
“He was my parents’ favorite manager that they ever had, and he’s just an extremely hard worker,” Hanson said of Shaun King.
Hanson was clear about who deserves the most credit for the shop’s longevity: the customers. “We wouldn’t be here without our loyal customers,” she said. “It’s amazing. The people who come and support us, whether it’s every day — we have some wonderful people who we get to see every morning — or the people who come in every week for their weekly meetings, Bible studies, or study groups.”
She described the shop as a “third space” — distinct from home and work — where Canyon County residents have marked milestones large and small. “We’ve had marriage proposals, people bringing in their babies, and hosts of people going through all walks of life,” Hanson said. “It’s just beautiful to see how this community has embraced this space as their third space.”
How to Celebrate and Get Involved
The 20th anniversary celebration takes place Tuesday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. at Flying M Coffeegarage in downtown Nampa. Attendees can expect carnival games, a cold brew bar, a barista dunk tank, and raffle prizes — with raffle proceeds supporting the Nampa Family Justice Center, a local nonprofit serving families in need across Canyon County.
The event is open to the public and free to attend. It is a rare opportunity to step inside one of downtown Nampa’s most beloved institutions and toast two decades of community building over a well-crafted cup of coffee.
For residents looking for more community events and local stories across Canyon County and the broader Treasure Valley — including recent coverage of the Idaho Horse Expo in Nampa and Lake Lowell’s boating season opening — visit Canyon County News regularly for updates. Additional statewide news is available at Idaho News.