Paul and Grace Kurtz started Hemisphere Coffee Roasters in 2004. Paul, MA Missiology, Simpson Graduate School, serves as the Director of Global Mission for Rosedale Mennonite Missions in Irwin, Ohio. Paul has traveled extensively in Central and South America and throughout East Africa. On his visits representing the mission agency, he often was asked by church leaders for financial assistance for church programs. Often he saw how the church was dependent on handouts to fulfill their vision or dreams.
The idea to import directly from the growers came after such a meeting in Thika, Kenya. Surrounded by beautiful groves of coffee, it hit him. What was needed was a business model that allowed growers to bring their coffee directly to the markets. Rather than a hand out, what was needed was a hand up! This started a journey; a journey that Paul and Grace are still on.
Paul says this about the last 3 years:
I am so glad for the advice I received early on. A wise old gentleman in the coffee industry told me that "if you want to import great coffee you have to know what great coffee is. The only way to know great coffee is to be a skilled roaster." That set me on the path to purchase a small roaster and then a larger 1/4 bag (33 pound) roaster. It is in the roasting that the true quality of the coffee shines or comes out. High grown coffee that has been meticulously sorted and graded is awesome to roast and discover.
Several other individuals have helped by financing the start-up and the first container of coffee. We are now looking at helping the Cabecar Indians of Costa Rica put their own operating wet mill near in Grano de Oro, a remote village 4 hours out of San Jose. Watch for news of that project right here!
We are proud to introduce our daughter Joelle and her husband Hans Hochstedler to you (and newborn Marley Grace). Hans is doing most of the roasting each week and Joelle works 2-3 days a week in the Roastery. Marley eats, sleeps and smiles at Grandma and Grandpa!. They are a welcome addition!
Hemisphere Coffee Roasters is located in downtown Mechanicsburg, OH.The Roastery is located at 22 South Main in Mechanicsburg, OH and is open 9:00-4:00 Monday, 9:00-5:30 Tuesday-Friday, 9:00-2:00 on Saturday and closed Sunday. You are cordially invited to stop in and pick up fresh-roasted coffee.
Here are just some of the great cafes and markets that handle Hemisphere Coffee Roasters coffee.
Mad River Farm Market, West Liberty, OH
Preston's IGA, Mechanicsburg, OH
World Market, Kidron, OH
Rebecca's, Walnut Creek, OH
Yutzy's Farm Market, Urbana, OH
The Cheesehouse, Plain City, OH
Everyday Organics, Urbana, OH
Yoder's Country Store, Greenwood, DE
Yoder's Meat Shoppe, Shipshewana, IN
Berlin Gift Barn, Berlin, OH
Der Dutchman, Plain City, OH
Der Dutchman, Walnut Creek, OH
Dutch Valley, Sugar Creek, OH
Troyer's Country Blatz, Fairview, NC
The Cheese Cottage, Lima, OH
Coblentz Chocolates, Walnut Creek, OH
The Amish Cheesehouse, Chouteau, OK
Better Life Naturals, Huntington, WV
Kalona Coffee House, Kalona, IA
Whole Foods Market, Columbus, OH
You can contact HCR by phone: 937-834-3230
or email: store@hemispherecoffeeroasters.com
