Today we’d like to introduce you to Joel Pollock.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
We moved here from Portland Oregon with the express intention of starting Miami’s first specialty coffee roaster. Leticia and I had come here on vacation and witnessed a tremendous coffee scene in Miami, without any real representation of specialty coffee. We saw space for another voice in the conversation that has been our life for quite some time. We fell in love with Miami and were quite ready to get out of the rains of “Portlandia.”
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I don’t know when the road has been completely smooth for a new independent company but we have no absolutely complaints or regrets. We have had a great time so far and have are now a small part of the fabric that makes up Miami. We took a huge risk by starting a new business in a wild time economically, in a town we really didn’t know. We came with a passion for coffee and we did our thing. The positive reaction we got was much more than we expected.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about panther coffee – what should we know?
We are a Miami based specialty coffee roasting company with five retail cafes throughout Miami. We source directly from coffee producers, roast in-house on our unique vintage customized coffee roasters and serve it in our retail cafes, as well as delivering to our wholesale partners. Our wholesale partners include hotels, coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, gyms- you name it! Most are local but we have many across the US and the Carribean, and some overseas. We focus on quality and take great pride in presenting the coffees of our friends from places all over the world, including Brazil, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Haiti, El Salvador, Guatemala, Uganda- a long list, too many to mention here. We look for the finest quality coffee we can find and work with the producer at the farms to ensure it and are committed to paying premium prices for it. This is a scenario that is much different than the way most coffee in the world is bought and sold and allows for the producer to participate in a way that is much more beneficial than the commodities model of coffee trade in the world.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Leticia and I have had so many amazing mentors and supporters on this journey. I think we would both have to agree the most important supporters we have had are the people of Miami. Miami has a vibrant and amazing culture and food and beverage scene and we are super proud to be a part of it!
Contact Info:
- Address: LOCATIONSCoconut Grove: 3407 Main Hwy – Miami Fl 33133
7am – 7pmLittle Haiti: 5934 NW 2nd Ave – Miami FL 33127
7am – 7pmMiami Beach: 1875 Purdy Ave – Miami Fl 33139
7am – 7pmMiMo: 6407 Biscayne Blvd – Miami Fl 33138
7am – 7pmWynwood: 2390 NW 2nd Ave – Miami Fl 33127
7am – 9pm - Website: www.panthercoffee.com
- Phone: 305.677.3952
- Email: sales@panthercoffee.com
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
