About Herman's Boy
Herman's Boy is a coffee roastery and specialty food shop on Northland Drive in Rockford, and it bills itself as the oldest specialty coffee roastery in the Midwest. Sharon and Floyd Havemeier opened it in 1979 in downtown Rockford as The Melting Pot. When a fondue chain with that name arrived in Michigan in 1999, they renamed it after Floyd's childhood nickname in Minnesota, where his father was Herman. In 1982 they bought The Coffee Ranch, a Grand Rapids roastery dating to 1901.
The shop outgrew downtown and moved in 2006 to a century-old farmhouse at 220 Northland Drive. Their three sons took over in 2012, and today it is run by the family's next generation, Zac and Emily with Emily's sister Ali and her husband Jamie.
Coffee is roasted on site and sold by the cup, as espresso drinks or by the pound, along with tea. The bakery turns out bagels, pecan rolls, cinnamon rolls, muffins, fruit-filled bagels they call Fruigels and key lime pie, and they make Mackinac-style fudge. The deli makes sandwiches to order with house-smoked meats and cheeses, and party trays can be ordered a day ahead. Shelves also hold kitchenware, confections and gift boxes.
Great Lakes Lavender Farm is about 20 minutes northeast of the shop. It is not open for farm visits, but online orders can be picked up there on Wednesdays and Fridays, so a coffee stop here pairs well with a pickup run.
What to do
- Order an espresso drink or buy coffee roasted on site by the pound
- Pick up fresh bagels, pecan rolls or a slice of key lime pie
- Take home Mackinac-style fudge
- Grab a deli sandwich made with house-smoked meats
- Shop kitchenware and coffee gift boxes
Season, hours and prices
- Season
- Open year-round
- Hours
- Mon–Fri 7 a.m.–7 p.m.; Sat 7:30 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sun 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m. (posted on their website, 2026)
Tips for your visit
- Order party trays at least 24 hours ahead
- Seasonal coffee flavors rotate, so ask what is new
- Sunday hours end at 3 p.m.
Pair it with a lavender farm
Great Lakes Lavender Farm · about 20 minutes away
Great Lakes Lavender Farm is about 20 minutes away and open for order pickup on Wednesdays and Fridays, not for farm visits.
Getting there
Questions
Why is it called Herman's Boy?
Founder Floyd Havemeier's father was named Herman, and Floyd was known as Herman's boy growing up in Minnesota.
Do they roast their own coffee?
Yes, coffee is roasted on site and sold by the cup or by the pound.
Can I get lunch there?
Yes, the deli makes sandwiches to order, and there are daily baked goods.
🗺️ Part of the guide Things to Do Near the Lavender Farms of Rockford, Lowell & Grand Rapids, Michigan
Checked in October 2026 against the business’s own website and local tourism pages. Hours and seasons change, so check with them before you go. How we check listings · Is this your business? Claim it free
