Coffee beans don’t grow in Erie, but local coffee roasters do.
The coffee industry in Erie is growing as strong as a slowly-brewed dark roast.
“Erie is such a coffee town,” said Doug Baker, head roaster at North Edge Craft Coffee in Millcreek Township. “There’s a lot of cafes, there’s a lot of office coffee, there’s a lot of different aspects on someone who can sell or offer coffee. There’s a market and demand for supplying these businesses with our coffee whether it’s packaged, national brand coffee; everyone loves locally roasted coffees.”
Coffee joins the list of consumable products that Erie is known for, including doughnuts, sponge candy, pepperoni balls, Smith’s hot dogs and more.
“The trend is great right now,” said Anita Rose, owner of North Edge Coffee. “I don’t know if Erie is different from other small cities, but we are definitely seeing growth, and we love it.”
Rose said coffee sales are building as more area offices are providing the popular drink for their employees.