A Local Coffee Shop Spins Records and Craft Drinks in Ames
October 28, 2026 - 05:52
Art takes many shapes, from music and painting to sculpture and mosaics. For Blake Delaney, the owner of The Vinyl Grind, that passion comes through in carefully made lattes and Italian sodas that stand apart from anything else in town.
The Vinyl Grind sits in the downtown district of Ames. Tucked into a garden-level space near the corner of Main Street and Kellogg Avenue, the shop pairs a record store atmosphere with a full coffee and soda menu. Customers can browse stacks of vinyl while waiting for a drink, giving the place a character that sets it apart from a typical cafe.
Delaney built the business around two things he cares about: good music and well-made beverages. The result is a spot where regulars come for the espresso and stay for the selection of records. The shop has become a small but recognizable part of the local scene, drawing both coffee drinkers and collectors who want to dig through the crates.
Small businesses like this one add texture to a downtown, offering something a chain cannot replicate. The Vinyl Grind leans into that identity, blending sound and caffeine in a way that feels specific to Ames and the people who live there.
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