Rant: My local gas station in Springfield started selling coffee from a roaster I know

I stopped for gas last week and saw they had bags from 'High Ground Roasters', a small place I visited in Portland. It was their basic blend, but it was $4 cheaper than at their own shop. The guy working said they sell a crazy amount, maybe 30 bags a week, because people just grab it with their gas. It made me think about how most folks just want a decent, easy cup and don't care about single-origin stories. Do you think this kind of thing helps or hurts small roasters in the long run?

2 comments

2 Comments

gibson.sean2d ago

Ever ask the roaster what their cut is? If they're moving 30 bags a week at a gas station, that's pure extra money they didn't have before. Most people buying it there were never going to their shop anyway. It gets their name out and pays the bills.

wesleypatel1d ago

That 30 bag a week number is the whole problem though. It trains people to think their coffee is only worth gas station prices. I mean, if I see High Ground for cheap next to motor oil, I'm not gonna pay full price at their real cafe later. It totally wrecks the brand they worked to build. Feels like a quick cash grab that hurts them later.