Crimson Cup Honors 13 Independent Coffee Shops Celebrating August Anniversaries

"These anniversaries reflect the heart and resilience of independent coffee shop owners," said Crimson Cup founder and president Greg Ubert. "From brand-new shops to 21-year milestones, we're proud to walk alongside these entrepreneurs as they grow thriving businesses that serve their communities."

The 7 Steps to Success program support coffee shop owners at every stage — from startup planning and barista training to daily operations, customer service, and menu development. Participants also gain access to award-winning coffee, premium equipment and a complete line of syrups, powders and other essential products.

13 Shops Celebrate August Milestones

The following Crimson Cup customers are celebrating anniversaries this month:

• Coffee Expressions, Springfield, Ohio – 21 years (opened Aug. 9, 2004)
  
  
• Edelweiss Coffee Shop Inc., Iron Mountain, Michigan – 21 years (opened Aug. 10, 2004)
  
  
• Ryders Cup of Western New York, Lakewood, New York – 18 years (opened Aug. 7, 2007)
  
  
• Metropolitan Coffee, Hutchinson, Kansas – 17 years (opened Aug. 22, 2008)
  
  
• Cuppa Sunshine Coffee and Tea LLC, Dickson, Tennessee – 12 years (opened Aug. 5, 2013)
  
  
• Love-A-Latte, Eldora, Iowa – 11 years (opened Aug. 15, 2014)
  
  
• Buckin' Brew LLC, Casper, Wyoming – 8 years (opened Aug. 4, 2017)
  
  
• The Green Bean Coffee House, Altoona, Pennsylvania – 8 years (opened Aug. 11, 2017)
  
  
• Metropolitan Coffee: Metro To Go, Hutchinson, Kansas – 7 years (opened Aug. 13, 2018)
  
  
• Community United Methodist Church, Irwin, Pennsylvania – 6 years (opened Aug. 5, 2019)
  
  
• Winston's Coffee Bar, Columbus, Ohio – 5 years (opened Aug. 21, 2020)
  
  
• Beansweet Coffee, Goldsboro, North Carolina – 3 years (opened Aug. 26, 2022)
  
  
• 2Bs Coffee Company, Madill, Oklahoma – 1 year (opened Aug. 30, 2024)

Two of the shops turned 21 this year – an amazing statistic for the restaurant industry.

Spotlight on Coffee Expressions: 21 Years of Community and Coffee

Founded by Ken and Judy Steele in 2004 and now managed by their son Kenny Steele and his wife, Jessica, Coffee Expressions has become a community favorite for its welcoming atmosphere, creative drink menu and commitment to giving back.

"We want everyone to feel welcome, like they're part of the family," Jessica said. "We've built strong relationships with our customers, and we're proud to be part of the Springfield community."

The Steeles credit the 7 Steps to Success program for helping them get started — and for continuing to guide their team today.

"Take the leap of faith with Crimson Cup," Ken said. "This is the way to go for independent coffee shop owners who want high-quality products and support to grow."

Edelweiss Coffee: Drive-Thru Favorite Celebrates 21 Years in Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Edelweiss Coffee in Iron Mountain, Michigan, also marks 21 years in business this month. Owners Jenni and Tom Wender opened the drive-thru-only shop in 2004 after working with Crimson Cup's 7 Steps to Success team. In January 2024, they transitioned ownership to their son and daughter-on-law, Gary and Christie Lofholm, keeping the thriving business in the family.

The name Edelweiss came from Tom's grandfather's dairy farm and reflects the family's Alpine heritage. The shop moved into a new, larger building in 2016 and continues to serve high-quality drinks at competitive prices.

"With Crimson Cup's guidance, we built our family business on doing things the right way for the right reasons," Jenni said. "Customers may stop by for just a moment, but the team makes sure it's the best moment of their day."

Proven Support for Independent Coffee Entrepreneurs

The 7 Steps to Success program, outlined in Ubert's book Seven Steps to Success: A Common-sense Guide to Succeed in Specialty Coffee, has helped open more than 300 independent coffee shops in 37 states.

Entrepreneurs ready to start or grow their coffee business can contact 7 Steps Sales Leader Scott Fullerton at [email protected] or 1-888-800-9224.

About Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea

Founded in 1991, Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea is a leader in the specialty coffee industry, recognized for award-winning quality and commitment to sustainability. The company's accolades include multiple Good Food Awards, the 2025 Golden Bean World Series Championship and Roast magazine's 2016 Macro Roaster of the Year.

Through its Friend2Farmer^® initiatives, Crimson Cup supports coffee-growing communities with sustainable, mutually beneficial partnerships. Its 7 Steps to Success program empowers entrepreneurs to open independent coffee shops by providing a detailed coffee shop business plan template, hands-on training, award-winning coffee and ongoing consulting.

Crimson Cup coffee is served in over 700 independent coffeehouses, grocers, universities, restaurants and food service locations across 37 states and Bangladesh. The company also operates its own Crimson Cup and CRIMSON coffeehouses in Ohio. To learn more, visit crimsoncup.com.

SOURCE Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea