It’s undeniable that passion fuels most culinary endeavors. The sacrifices it takes to make it in one of the most unforgiving industries require a kind of motivation that many can’t muster. Of course, it helps when that concept is fueled by heritage and supporting your neighbors.
James and Miriam Wallace opened Grindstone Coffee in 2025 to fuel the outdoor experience. Launching with their flagship ‘trailer’ location at Gear Garden in Bella Vista’s Blowing Springs Park, the couple has infused her Mexican background and his former Florida life into a menu celebrating quality coffee drinks and casual bites.
“I grew up in an Italian family,” James said. “We were always gathering around food, and then living in different places–Pennsylvania, Florida, Tennessee, Arkansas–we got to experience a lot of different foods that we can share here.”
Their 727 drink is named after Pinellas County in Florida. Trail IV, which is popular for post-ride hydration, is inspired by the Mexican suero drink James and Miriam shared when they met in Cancun. At their newest location inside Phat Tire-Bella Vista, Grindstone serves acai bowls, breakfast tacos, and a Cuban sandwich called “Ebor,” named after Ebor City, a predominantly Cuban area of Tampa.
From the beginning, however, Grindstone has served four signature drinks, which include Miriam’s Café de la Olla Latte.
“I was born and raised in Mexico, and the piloncillo we use to make the syrup is shipped in from Mexico,” she explains. “The sugar is the raw presentation of the cane sugar; it's not processed. I melt it in water, and it becomes the syrup, and then I’ll add cinnamon, anise star, and clove to make the Café de la Olla.”
While they pull much of their personal histories into their brand, the Wallaces never claimed to be coffee experts when they started. “We didn’t really know anything about coffee at the beginning,” James says. “We really leaned on our community to learn about sourcing, roasting, and making coffee.”
Their humble launch into coffee entrepreneurship began with help from Airship and later to a relationship with Alpha & Ωmega founder Nick Adolphsen, who is now Grindstone’s roaster. Adding baked goods to the menu, they found local sourdough specialist Boston Break Co. through Instagram, which sparked Grindstone’s mission to collaborate with more Bella Vista-based food brands.
Today, they partner with Granola Gal, Front Porch Cravings, Natural State Beverage Company, Kindred, and Ozark Mountain Bagels, serving hot drinks out of mugs made by Sugar Creek Ceramics.
The future for Grinstone looks to include a third, independent location, but for now, locals can enjoy their unique fusion of trailhead fuel at Gear Garden and Phat Tire in Bella Vista.
“We really leaned on our community to learn about sourcing, roasting, and making coffee.”