Partner Recognition – Coal Creek Coffee Company and Roastery
What do you get when you combine commercial talent and culinary skills with a love for vintage craftsmanship and enterprising creativity? In Laramie, that combination of attributes gets you John and Jodi Guerin, owners of Coal Creek Coffee Company and Roastery.
It was 1995 when John and Jodi purchased a traditional American coffeehouse in downtown Laramie that previously only served coffee purchased through conventional vendors. Today, Coal Creek Coffee Co.’s downtown and uptown locations offer custom and specialty coffees imported from Central and South America, Africa and other distant parts of the globe. Supplementing its local retail operations, Coal Creek enjoys a regional wholesale market for the coffees and commercial brewing equipment.
In addition, Coal Creek Coffee Co. serves a European-style menu designed around “all hand-made” delicious breads and baked goods, complete with sandwiches featuring imported Italian meats and premium cheeses. The menu also includes slow roasted vegetables, along with homemade soups and innovative entrée salads.
The Guerins share an operating philosophy based on the belief that there is no substitute for the natural artistry created in goods touched by the human hand. Further, they believe that history, culture and integrity are essential ingredients to success in business and life. In expanding upon this philosophy, Jodi explains, “As the US economy matured and became more commercialized, we lost many of our traditional crafts and skills. Through this business, John and I not only strive to revitalize crafts that were developed by making things in house with one’s hands, but also training others in the skills that we’ve learned.”
This credo led the Guerins to open their own Roastery in 1998. It is the basis for their home made, delectable baked goods and menu offerings. Coal Creek Coffee Co.’s Elektra espresso machine was completely hand made in Italy, including its fastidious screws and precision components. The very atmosphere in both of Laramie’s Coal Creek coffee shops is influenced by the artisan spirit and an affinity for cultural heritage. For example, local artists made the hand-crafted tables using mosaic tiles and salvaged lumber as building materials.
Extensive support for the arts has always played a prominent role in the company’s culture and operations. Coal Creek Coffee Co. has been Laramie’s premier non-bar entertainment venue for local and traveling musical performers for almost two decades. Additionally, the company is always looking for visual artists to display their works on the walls of either Laramie location.
With the holiday season just around the corner, Jodi expects Coal Creek’s gift basket business to begin scaling upward. A special inclusion for the gift inventory are hand-crafted wooden crates made by local artisan David Gregory. These are used in both the gift baskets and Coal Creek’s exclusive Crank Box ™, a traveling coffee brewing kit for the discerning coffee customer.
LEDC proudly recognizes Coal Creek Coffee Company and Roastery and extends our best wishes for its continued success.
For more information regarding Coal Creek Coffee Company and Roastery, visit its website by clicking here.
