In Minnesota, the Star Tribune has a story about Alakef Coffee Roasters of Duluth, a company that in five years has grown to annual revenue of $2.5 million and more than a dozen employees … with much of the credit going to its development of the City Girl Coffee brand, which describes itself as a “socially conscious coffee company dedicated to supporting and empowering women in the coffee industry around the world.”
The story says that City Girl Coffee has been “picked up by Amazon.com and local Target stores. In addition, City Girl Coffee can also be found at Twin Cities-area co-ops, Kowalski’s, Hy-Vee and elsewhere,” and is “aiming for other Midwest markets while maintaining a commitment to social awareness.”
Founder Alyza Bohbot says, “Our company is deeply rooted in the support of women coffee growers and women in general, as well as in the empowerment of equality.”
The Star Tribune notes that Bohbot and Alakef are both inspiring and taking advantage of small business-friendly trends taking place in the Twin Cities:
“Bohbot’s City Girl … is the biggest tenant in one of three refurbished former factories in northeast Minneapolis owned by Ellis Properties and leased by Midwest Pantry, an 8-year-old local-foods marketer and accelerator in what’s dubbed the ‘Northeast Food District,’ including a kitchen incubator.
“Bohbot is a successful role model for Midwest Pantry, a 100-plus member organization that works with small Twin Cities food-and-gift producers to cooperatively buy equipment, market products, connect with wholesalers and otherwise help producers make a buck and help the Twin Cities thrive as a home of growing small businesses.” And Midwest Pantry itself grew out of an idea that started at a Minneapolis farmers market.
The story says that City Girl Coffee has been “picked up by Amazon.com and local Target stores. In addition, City Girl Coffee can also be found at Twin Cities-area co-ops, Kowalski’s, Hy-Vee and elsewhere,” and is “aiming for other Midwest markets while maintaining a commitment to social awareness.”
Founder Alyza Bohbot says, “Our company is deeply rooted in the support of women coffee growers and women in general, as well as in the empowerment of equality.”
The Star Tribune notes that Bohbot and Alakef are both inspiring and taking advantage of small business-friendly trends taking place in the Twin Cities:
“Bohbot’s City Girl … is the biggest tenant in one of three refurbished former factories in northeast Minneapolis owned by Ellis Properties and leased by Midwest Pantry, an 8-year-old local-foods marketer and accelerator in what’s dubbed the ‘Northeast Food District,’ including a kitchen incubator.
“Bohbot is a successful role model for Midwest Pantry, a 100-plus member organization that works with small Twin Cities food-and-gift producers to cooperatively buy equipment, market products, connect with wholesalers and otherwise help producers make a buck and help the Twin Cities thrive as a home of growing small businesses.” And Midwest Pantry itself grew out of an idea that started at a Minneapolis farmers market.
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I was thrilled to see this story since City Girl Coffee is what we subscribe to and drink in our home each morning. (I’m on my sixth cup of the day as I write this….) It is a great example of a purpose-driven business that can do well and do good. It is still a very small business, but I hope it grows. A lot.
