Crave Coffee Shop Opened in Ames

The new storefront on Lincoln Way replaces the former Campus Brew location.

Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Openings & Closings

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Crave has officially opened a brick-and-mortar shop at 2420 Lincoln Way in Ames. Owners Emily and Tyler Baker launched the business to centralize offerings previously sold through their food truck.

Why it matters

The new physical location allows the owners to consolidate their operations into a single storefront for local customers. It replaces the defunct Campus Brew, filling a vacancy in a high-traffic area for residents and students.

The shop is located at 2420 Lincoln Way, Suite 101, and operates Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The first 500 Iowa State students with ID are eligible to receive a free cookie.

The players

Emily and Tyler Baker

They are the owners of Crave who previously operated a food truck before establishing this brick-and-mortar location.

The details

The shop offers a menu featuring coffee, Kona Ice, dirty soda, and warm cookies. Following a daily renovation period that began when the owners acquired the keys in September, the team plans to expand the menu with acai bowls, breakfast options, and Cravewiches later this month.

September 2026: Owners acquired the keys to the shop building.
October 2, 2026: The Crave storefront opened to the public.
Late October 2026: Additional food items will be added to the menu.
Coming weeks: New furniture and decorations will be installed.

Market Landscape

Crave represents a growing shift of mobile food entrepreneurs transitioning into permanent real estate to stabilize their brand. This move allows the business to compete directly in the local campus market by securing a dedicated physical footprint.

Students and residents can now visit the location on Lincoln Way for coffee and snacks during regular weekday and Saturday hours. Eligible students should bring their university ID to take advantage of the free cookie offer while supplies last.

The takeaway

The transition from food truck to storefront marks a significant milestone for small business owners seeking to establish a permanent local presence. Customers can look forward to expanded menu offerings, including breakfast items, as the business continues to settle in throughout October.