Bonlife Coffee, a subsidiary of Bonlife, Inc., has announced plans to open their first retail roastery in downtown Cleveland in late July. Bonlife Coffee, a member of the Specialty Coffee Association of America, was founded to shorten the distance from farmer to consumer and has done so by establishing direct relationships with coffee farmers in countries around the world, from Thailand to Guatemala to Uganda.
In choosing downtown Cleveland for the site of their new retail roastery over several other contenders, Founder Jeremy Moore, a graduate of Cleveland High School and Lee University, said, “Cleveland has all the characteristics we were looking for population growth, enabling government, a strong university, and an underserved but developing coffee culture.”
Renovations are underway on the location at 241 Inman St E, on First Street square, next to The Catch Bar and Grill, to prepare the space to house a small batch coffee roaster, an imported Italian espresso machine, and brewing methods from around the globe.
Barista Jenny Kipper said, “We’re excited to bring this experience to downtown Cleveland and share hand roasted coffees, fresh smoothies, locally made pastries and artisan sandwiches with the area.”
Bonlife Coffee will also be supplying fresh, locally roasted coffees to area specialty restaurants, grocers, and even churches. “It’s great to be an early part of the process of enabling communities on the other side of the world through providing a living wage for coffee farmers who hand pick each bean which is then hand roasted right here in Cleveland” said James Laws, Senior Pastor of The Exchange Church.
In preparation for the grand opening, there will be a hiring open house on Monday, June 18, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Please call or email in advance to schedule your interview time. The company plans to open with a staff of at least 15 baristas, clerks, and apprentice roasters.
For more information or to follow the progress towards grand opening you can sign up for updates at their website www.bonlifecoffee.com as well as their Facebook page www.facebook.com/bonlifecoffee and Twitter @bonlifecoffee.