Retail and Commerce

Valentine’s Day may not be a classic occasion for coffee shops—but as these four operators show, cafes can still harness the holiday with limited-time drinks, bundles, and other lucrative extras.

Counter Culture’s Brett Donahue reflects on how a 30-year-old company maintains quality at scale, removes bias from sourcing, and embraces new ideas that challenge the status quo.

Across specialty cafes, ordering a cup of coffee can mean everything from batch brew to a pour-over. In this story, three cafes break down their approach to drip coffee—and explain the factors that shaped…

In 2017, multinational conglomerate Nestlé bought the specialty chain Blue Bottle Coffee. Seven years later, workers unionized—but now Nestlé is considering selling the brand. What does that mean for its union?

Facing high rents and build-out costs, coffee shop owners are finding success by opening inside existing retail spaces.

A decade after first persuading growers to sell premium beans domestically, India’s specialty roasters are finding their footing, adapting global trends to local contexts, and beginning to take Indian coffee to the world.

Alcohol consumption has declined in America, and coffee shops are embracing the zero-proof movement with mocktails. Three cafes share how they’re shaking things up and attracting new customers.

JBC Coffee Roasters in Madison has been in the business for more than 30 years—here’s how co-owner Laura Salinger-Johnson has seen the industry change since the company’s founding.

As the government shutdown threatens federal food aid programs, independent coffee shops are finding ways to help, from free breakfasts in Portland to food drives in Tulsa.

Many cafes offer wide-ranging drink menus. But for some, a pared-down menu with just the classics is the best way to express their values and service style.