Black Owned: Campfire Coffee

With coffee being such a major a part of the day to day lifestyle in Western Washington it was alarming to us when we heard the statistics on black owned coffee roasters or cafe owners in the Pacific Northwest. It was through our good friends at Campfire Coffee that our eyes were opened to the disparities of black faces and ideas in the coffee realm. They don’t really exist. It was through a conversation with Campfire Coffee co-owner Q that we learned how much of an island the Campfire Coffee staff and family stand on.

The Campfire story is unique, Q was a marketing executive and musician for years prior to making a transition into coffee. Originally the idea was to open just a coffee shop but that idea quickly escalated via force. They went in search of roasters and learned immediately how difficult it is to obtain a reliable and consistent roaster much less a black one. So instead they became the roasters. Since they’ve been able to get the doors open roughly a year into COVID they have become a staple in the downtown Tacoma community no matter your color or creed. And it didn’t take long. There business model was smart and allowed them to attract a following even prior to opening their doors. They started with selling coffee by the bag online and they kept selling out. So by the time they had jumped through the several hurdles to get their brick and mortar going people were already fans of the coffee prior to having a barista steam milk or drizzle caramel into a cup. After being open for nearly two years the brand is strong and the product is potent and consistent. Q and the family have begun to employ faces from the community and students of the UW Tacoma. They remain the only black owned coffee shop in Tacoma, they still roast and wholesale coffee to accounts major and local and more recently they provide outdoor gear and apparel for those new to camping and the adventures of the great outdoors.