Tori Byrne Portfolio

February 18, 2024 3:30 PM

A family-owned company, The Grand Rapids Coffee Roasters, is an online and store-based coffee roasting company that was established in 2007. Sitting at the corner of Hall and Godfrey, the company hosts their Saturday Experience with free coffee samples, social events, and educational demonstrations of the coffee process and brewing methods. The Saturday Experience occurs every Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm in an “open house” style, that is free of charge.

The owner of the Grand Rapids Coffee Roasters, Craig “The Coffee Guy” Patterson, created the Saturday Experience accidentally. He invited friends to keep him company while brewing fresh coffee for a local business. Sharing the brewing experience and free samples with friends sparked the idea to create an event for the public. 

In 2008, The Saturday Experience was created and welcomed locals with open arms. Creating an event for the community allowed the company to expand its marketing and connect with locals. Local Grand Rapids resident, Olivia Foster, commented that the Saturday Experience is a “small way to give back to the community and grab a free cup of coffee, plus learn and appreciate what goes into the roasting process.” 

Every Saturday, at noon, Patterson performs educational demonstrations about the roasting process and different brewing methods. By accommodating consumers’ coffee utensils at home, the demonstrations provide knowledge and skills to get the best coffee every morning. Common brewing methods include a French press, a pour-over, and a stovetop pot. After the demonstration, customers are offered to try the coffee made from the demonstration. The demonstrations allow customers to utilize brewing skills to save money and execute the best cup of coffee. Patterson points out that “roasting is more than just putting the beans in the machine, hitting a button, and walking away and having a good time… there is an art to it.” 

The art of roasting starts with the beans. Coffee beans vary depending on the given geographical location of harvest. The “gold mine locations” for coffee beans are in Central America, South America, Africa, and Indonesia. There are different methods of harvesting the beans, which dictate the aroma, pungency, and flavor profile. Patterson’s company offers a wide variety of coffee beans with different flavor profiles to accommodate every coffee lover’s taste. 

Compared to other roasters, The Grand Rapids Coffee Roasters differentiates itself by producing the freshest coffee. Patterson created the roasting company to “provide the freshest roasted coffee in West Michigan.” Displaying the machinery and coffee bean barrels as decor creates a unifying experience for customers to see the process. The company sells fresh coffee beans every week to the public.

Walking into The Grand Rapids Coffee Roasters, the aesthetic embodies timelessness and character. Music, comfy chairs, and coffee artifacts created a special ambiance. Social demonstrations, free coffee, and a safe environment are the company’s way to give back to the community. The Saturday Experience is a medium for the community to unite and enjoy the simplicity of life over a cup of coffee.