First and foremost, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of you—our supporters. Your encouragement and patronage are the backbone of everything we do. Without you, Fifty5 Rivers wouldn’t exist.
This past year has been both challenging and rewarding. The economic climate has undeniably influenced our business. While we’re still operating in the red, the gap has narrowed—a testament to our perseverance. We’ve continued to pour time, energy, and resources into growing our brand, knowing that the journey is just as important as the destination.
To adapt, we’ve focused on cutting costs and improving processes to streamline operations. One highlight has been the introduction of River Rations, our freeze-dried snacks line, primarily featuring candy. This addition has not only diversified our offerings but also brought a touch of sweetness to our business.
Looking Ahead: Conflooence by Fifty5 Rivers
We’re excited to announce a major evolution: Conflooence by Fifty5 Rivers. This concept transforms our retail location at the Innovation Lab into a confluence of all our brands.
At Conflooence, we’ll continue offering our prepackaged products, including:
- Ready-to-Drink Cold Brew Coffee
- Riverade (lemonade)
- River Chilled Tea (unsweetened black tea)
- River Rations (freeze-dried candy)
What’s new? We’ll now prepare and serve drinks by the glass! Here’s what you can expect:
- Cold Brew Coffee (still or River Rushed/Nitro)
- Cold Brew Coffee Lattes
- Riverade and its flavored counterparts
- Storm Series specialty drinks
- River Chilled Tea (still or sparkling)
- Flavored and sparkling waters
- Hot Chocolate
We’re also thrilled to introduce custom freeze-dried candy packaging, letting you create your perfect mix to take home.
Conflooence is designed as a quick-stop experience, with no indoor seating. While we’ll have limited outdoor seating during warmer months, the focus will be on grab-and-go service. To start, we’ll operate conservatively, opening from 10 AM to 5:30 PM on Thursdays and Fridays, and 10 AM to 2 PM on Saturdays. With your support, we’ll evaluate demand and adjust hours as needed.
Enhancing Your Experience
In the coming months, we’ll be making several operational upgrades to serve you better:
- A Unified Point-of-Sale System: This integration will reduce costs and simplify transactions.
- Revamped Loyalty Program: We’re exploring new ways to reward you through updated tiers and benefits.
- Gift Card System: A fresh, user-friendly approach.
- New Newsletter Platform: You’ll soon receive an email to confirm your subscription—please accept to stay connected.
- Unified Website: A single digital hub for all Fifty5 Rivers brands.
- Unified Branding Across All Brands: We’re implementing consistent branding for all Fifty5 Rivers offerings and introducing the official branding for Conflooence.
These changes are part of our commitment to providing a seamless experience while managing rising costs. From coffee beans to packaging, inflation has affected many of our inputs. Though we can’t promise to never raise prices, we’re striving to keep them steady by cutting expenses where possible.
On the Horizon
We’re constantly innovating. Here’s a glimpse at what’s brewing:
- Freeze-Dried Fruits: A healthy addition to our River Rations lineup.
- Instant Cold Brew Coffee: The same smooth, rich taste of Fifty5 Rivers Cold Brew in a freeze-dried format.
Additionally, we’ll be expanding our team. As a family-run business, we’ve cherished working alongside our children. With Zack graduating in Supply Chain Management this spring, he’ll transition to part-time, contributing when he can, alongside Kayla.
Your Feedback Matters
As we grow and adapt, we’d love to hear from you—both the good and the not-so-good. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us refine and enhance our brand.
Here’s to a year of growth, innovation, and stronger connections. Thank you for being part of the Fifty5 Rivers journey.
