Out to Eat: Valentine's at Cream and Sugar

Just off Main Street in Beresford, SD sits a humble and charming coffee shop. Its name, Cream and Sugar, is inscribed in pleasant lowercase above the door, inviting passersby to sit and sip for as long as they please. 

When my coworker asked if I wanted to strengthen our friendship outside of work, my only question was, “Where are we going?” She suggested a coffee shop she frequently escaped to over the summer to study for her nursing prerequisites: Cream and Sugar. 

“And it’s in Beresford,” I asked..

“I’ll drive,” she persuaded. 

She told me that there was a special event coming up for Valentine’s Day with themed drinks and small business pop-ups. “My valentine can wait,” I thought as she showed me the cafe’s darling instagram page (@creamandsugarcoffeeshop).

Valentine’s Day finally arrived with a beautiful high of 60 degrees and lightly clouded sky. My work bestie and I entered the sleek and stylish building after a 30-minute drive, which felt short in light of good company and conversation. 

Inside, we were met with a vibrant energy tucked into a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. The place was packed with school-aged to middle-aged women who were laughing with each other and enjoying their drinks under a canopy of warm fairy lights. The beachy aesthetic was a kind deviation from the anxious gloom of my dorm room. 

The menus at the register and on the wall behind were handwritten in beautiful calligraphy, and I was thankful my friend and I came during a lull so we could read about their extensive options. Protein shakes, Redbull infusions, Lotus energy drinks, winter coffees, local favorites — and, of course, the Valentine’s Day menu, including a selection of boozy love-themed cocktails. 

It was a hard choice to make: cherry cheesecake matcha, Dubai chocolate latte, Cupid’s chai, love potion Lotus and more.

Finally, I decided on a Salted Kiss Latte – a coffee with salted caramel and white mocha flavoring, topped with caramel creme cold foam. The barista asked, “Hot or iced?” and then I stumbled over what size I wanted as my coworker sighed and said, “God, Elsa, you work at a coffee shop; get it together.” 

My total came to $11.45 for my medium beverage, plate-sized cheese danish and a small tip. It was a very similar price to the overpriced chain I work at, but this experience was much more personal. My coworker ordered the Love Potion (Non-dairy) Cream Soda with a cookie, which cost about the same as my order. 

We sat down and noticed the private vendors who had set up shop inside the cafe. Women were waiting in line for permanent jewelry by Stay Golden, piercings by Mg Esthetics and tiny tattoos by The Cardinal Skin Studio. Outside, there was a pop-up boutique by the name of Hello Ruby inside a trailer with trendy clothing selections and a 14% off sale in honor of the holiday.

The table next to us ordered a flight of four Valentine’s drinks served in mason jars on a wooden tray. I leaned over to ask for a picture and was met with great kindness from an Augustana business graduate. Students seem to be a large percentage of Cream and Sugar’s client base.

Our drinks and treats were ready in no time thanks to the speedy baristas behind the counter. After a quick photoshoot, we were ready for our first sips. My iced Salted Kiss Latte was sweet and rich with a smoky aftertaste. It tasted kind of familiar. The cold foam was a very nice touch with the perfect texture – not too thick or too runny. 

My friend’s drink tasted like a sweet tart, reminiscent of the seasonal heart-shaped candies that read KISS ME and BE MINE. Our pastries were delightful and paired nicely with our respective beverages. 

Tricia Beeson owns the coffee shop with a team of her family members and closest friends. They started the business in 2022 and kicked off with great success and popularity. There hadn’t been a coffee shop in Beresford for quite some time, and it was Beeson’s dream to open one of her own. 

She revealed to me that they source their coffee beans from Coffea Roasterie and Espresso Bar here in Sioux Falls, which explains the familiar taste of my latte. Their biggest goal is to provide quality, unique beverages and a calm, enjoyable setting for their customers.

As we walked out of the coffee shop, my work bestie turned to me: “So, you’re going to come back here and study with me, right?”