It was a moment months in the making.
On September 25, 2025, MCRRV staff and board welcomed participants, care partners, volunteers and local media to tour the official new home of Memory Cafe of the Red River Valley.
The wait was worth it.
Not only were MCRRV staff able to give tours, but it also gave the memory loss community reason to celebrate over conversation, coffee and delicious donuts.
“Again and again, we hear that Memory Cafe feels like a home away from home,” Maggie said. “Thanks to our amazing donors who walk alongside us and help inspire our mission, we now have a new, improved home away from home for everyone in our community who’s impacted by memory loss.”
Donated anonymously in Fall 2025, the new building includes a much-needed upgrade in overall space for the growing team while meeting the unique needs of the memory loss community.
Future building plans include creating a warm, welcoming “home away from home” for the growing memory loss community and their loved ones, according to Deb Kaul, MCRRV co-founder and director of community outreach.
“This will be an expanded space for caregivers and those living with memory loss, but it will also mean we have a kitchen for events and demonstrations, and rooms we can dedicate to support and empower our participants to live better, happier lives despite memory loss,” Kaul said. “We cannot wait.”
Future plans also include:
- Teaching kitchen
- Multi-purpose room—exercise and community education
- Library | tranquility suite
- Respite support
- Outdoor patio space with secure outdoor walking path
- Raised garden beds
- Annual classic car show
- Brain gym—proactive care for our brain and well being
What’s next for MCRRV?
For now, MCRRV Program Manager Abby Husar said programs are on schedule at the usual places: all six locations spread throughout the Fargo-Moorhead metro region.
“We love our community partners, and having a home base is going to be so incredibly helpful for everyone,” she said.
Currently, MCRRV programming and events are split between Rustad Center, Bethel Church, Hope Lutheran Church, Hjemkomst Center, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, and the Moorhead American Legion.
While there isn’t an official timeline for when programs will begin in the new building, the MCRRV team is looking forward to sharing more plans for this space soon.
Ness encourages interested community members to stay up to date by following them on Facebook.
Interested in getting involved with Memory Cafe?
We enthusiastically welcome new participants, volunteers, donors, and anyone else to join us as we build community and change the way we think about memory loss.