Charlotte Coffeehouse Collective Radio
Season 1
Roost Roastery’s Origin Story: When a GoFundMe Turned Into a Coffee Business
by Sabra Robinson
This episode unpacks the challenges of starting over in coffee—from closing a café to rebuilding through roasting. Traveling from Chicago to Matthews, NC, and fueled by a Bellwether Roaster, the story begins with a GoFundMe to help a friend fight cancer and ends with the birth of Roost Roastery, built by Fred Spreen.
In this conversation, Dwayne Chaffen, co-founder of Memphis Grindhouse Coffee, shares the inspiring journey of starting a coffee business in Memphis. He discusses the importance of community engagement, literacy initiatives, and the challenges faced in the coffee industry. Dwayne emphasizes the significance of understanding the market, crafting a unique brand, and the impact of collaborations.The conversation highlights the mission of Memphis Grindhouse Coffee to foster literacy and support the local community while navigating the complexities of running a coffee business.