Company Origins
Inspired by Flavor
From its beginnings in 2004, roasting coffee on the banks of the Mississippi River, the company has practiced the craft of small batch coffee roasting with an uncompromising commitment to freshness and flavor, earning a loyal following and a name that is synonymous with great coffee.
"This company was born out of a love for great coffee . . .
Back in the day, most coffees were sold in cans and very few small-batch coffee roasters existed in St Louis. However, one of those roasters belonged to a good friend of mine who was not only passionate about coffee but was also, like me, a runner. Every Sunday, after a 10-mile run, we’d stop by his roaster and enjoy some freshly roasted brews; I was mesmerized by how incredible great coffees could taste and wanted to learn how to roast. So I left my architectural job, took a master class for coffee roasters, and was hooked for life. I cashed out my 401K and purchased my first roaster. My wife thought I was crazy. Nearly two decades later and great coffee is still a joy for us, and something we’re now sharing with people all over the country."
— CHRIS RUESS, FOUNDER & PRESIDENT
What's with the Name?
Our company traces its roots back to the muddy banks of the Mississippi River, in St. Louis, where we first began roasting coffee in 2004. We’re inspired not only by the majesty of the river itself but also by the community that surrounds it in this our home town. What better place than St. Louis to soak in and celebrate both natural beauty and rich cultural diversity? It’s here that our reputation as a homegrown brand was born out of years of service to area coffee shops, grocery stores, restaurants and cafes, and it’s here we’re proud to stay.