I was traveling in Central and South America for less than two years, however, I feel like there have been some small changes with big impacts in my home city of Columbus.
All good changes.
Coffee is becoming a serious thing.
Independent, coffee roasters are popping up.
And the coffee is fantastic.
One of my favorite new spots is One Line Coffee in the Short North neighborhood.
One Line Coffee
Their search for better coffee is defined by multiple goals: flavor and quality, sustainability, and traceability. They seek to ensure farmers and workers are treated well and earn a livable wage. They tell the stories of their coffees, connecting us to the farmers.
By traveling to the origin as often as possible to visit the mills and farms, they have a greater chance of meeting their goals.
In addition to the quality of the coffee, they know how to roast it.
I love that they provide tasting notes. And I love that I really can pick out those flavors.
You can enjoy a hand poured coffee (yes, the trend I discovered in Seattle is now in Columbus) or pick up a bag of beans to brew coffee at home.
The technology
Apparently, I missed out on a technology shift while I was traveling in the third world (and paying cash for everything, usually requiring exact change). It seems that a lot of the new, independent businesses in Columbus are using iPad point-of-sale systems.
I felt like a moron the first time a sales person flipped the iPad around to me to sign with my fingertip.
Hemisphere Coffee Roasters
The principles of Hemisphere align quite closely to those of One Line Coffee, however, they came to the coffee business in a different way, through missionary work in poor communities. A quote from their website is,
Aid is addicting and hand-outs almost always squelch local initiative and individual self-worth. What was needed was a business-to-business model that gave the poor a hand up, not a hand out!”
The coffee roasting facility is not actually located in Columbus, but the cool thing is that they have a coffee truck in Columbus, possibly the first in the city.
You can actually get hand poured coffee, chemex, espresso, and more from the Hemisphere truck located in the Clintonville neighborhood at 3825 Indianola Avenue.
The technology
The HCR Trailer (as they call the coffee truck) can actually take credit cards. This is just another example of how technology is enabling small businesses to enter the market and expand.
I feel a decade behind, so I did a little research. It is incredible the number of tools marketed to start-ups and entrepreneurs. You can swipe credit cards or download a payroll app on a mobile phone.
I continue to enjoy the evolution of coffee and technology
Any other interesting technology trends for entrepreneurs?
Well researched! It’s been awhile since I’ve had what I’d call great coffee. We do have nice ones in Stavanger but they are so expensive at the coffee houses it’s hardly worth it.
Get a French Press and make some good stuff at home. Coffee (not the fancy coffee drinks but straight coffee) should never be expensive.
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Bierberg: traditional German Christmas cookies for four generations
I rarely drink coffee, but I might have gone and tasted one of these business’ coffees just to support their goals if I was in the area. Great values and goals!
Ayelet – All Colores recently posted..Birds Park, Iguazu, Brazil: Flamingos and Their Neighbors Pose
You might like it if you try the hand-poured coffee. And yes, I always like to support local businesses who are doing something good.
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Bierberg: traditional German Christmas cookies for four generations
Nashville’s the same, and I love it! If you ever make it out this way, we’ll do a tour of the independent roasters in town–what say you?
Well, I am planning a trip to Nashville in a few months, so it’s a date!
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Bierberg: traditional German Christmas cookies for four generations
I’m hoping that trend comes to Toronto soon.
Ayngelina recently posted..How I will remember 2012
I’m shocked it’s not there yet.
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..8 Travel highlights of 2012 and why it is important to think about it
Let’s get that coffee ball rolling right around the world!
It’s been so, so nice to be drinking familiar cups of Portland-roasted coffee lately
I’m glad to hear you’ve got some great new brew options there in Columbus.
The iPad point of sale caught me off guard, too – down in New Zealand, actually, just a few weeks ago. One of the top coffee shops in Christchurch just reopened after being shut by the big 2011 quake, and everything was iPad synced – from the register back to the kitchen in the other end of the building. Crazy.
Bethany ~ twoOregonians recently posted..Dusk
Glad I wasn’t the last person to discover the iPad technology popping up in cafes and other retail shops
Now that I’m hearing our local roasters/ retailers are visiting the source of their beans in places like Central America, I think I may need to switch industries.
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..A Delicious Year: Best Food Finds of 2012
The idea of tasting notes makes me smile. What a fun way to enjoy roasted coffee. What did you use to roast the coffee beans? I’m also super interested in the coffee truck idea. Why do I feel like that’s a super great business idea??? Stephanie I really enjoyed reading this!