It’s back to school time for many, which makes it the perfect moment to learn more about KOS Coffee in Winter Park, Florida. Their mission includes a 10% profit donation to educational and childhood charities, including New Image Youth Center, Lift Orlando, and Seed. All this and some really great professional gear? Sounds like this will be a great new edition to the thriving Orlando area coffee scene.
The 2022 Build-Outs of Coffee is presented by Dripos, Dona, and Mill City Roasters. The 2022 Build-Outs of Coffee is sponsored by La Marzocco, Pacific Barista Series, Acaia, Cropster, and Marco Beverage Systems.
As told to Sprudge by Russ and Bridget Bruguiere.
For those who aren’t familiar, will you tell us about your company?
We are KOS Coffee, a social-enterprise micro-roastery and coffee shop based in Winter Park, FL. We focus on sourcing transparency-based coffees from small producers both for our shop and wholesale partners. At KOS, we believe in creating social impact through coffee. 10% of all our profits are donated to educational charities in both our local and greater global community.
Can you tell us a bit about the new space?
Our new location will be a hybrid space, allowing ample space for wholesale/roasting operations and our cafe/coffee shop. In the front, we will have our cafe/espresso bar, and in the back of our space, we will have our coffee roaster and space for our wholesale operations. Additionally, we will have a small kitchen, which will allow us to prepare small plates, bakery, and breakfast items. We will also be introducing a natural wine program and extended hours (for all our non-coffee drinkers)!
What’s your approach to coffee?
Our approach to coffee is simple… source the best coffees and allow them to speak for themselves. We believe in transparency-based coffees from smaller single producers. If we can’t tell you the name of the farmer who produced the coffee you are drinking… we won’t serve it to you. We believe in providing our customers with 100% transparency behind the coffees we sell, all the way down to the price we paid for it. Most importantly, we believe in higher than fair wages for both farmers and baristas.
Any machines, coffees, special equipment lined up?
Espresso machine: La Marzocco Linea PB AV
Espresso grinder: Mahlkönig E65S GbW
Batch grinder: Mahlkönig EK43
Batch coffee: FETCO CBS-1221
Roaster: Probat P5-2
How is your project considering sustainability?
Currently we compost 100% of our coffee grounds, filters, and food scraps. We will continue to do the same at our new location. We only use 100% compostable hot to-go cups, and compostable corn plastic cups. Our lids and straws are both 100% compostable as well. All of our mailers used to ship coffee are 100% compostable. We are a 100% plastic free shop, and are currently going through our Zero Waste certification. Lastly, we hope to be a B-Corp by the end of the year.
What’s your hopeful target opening date/month?
Mid-October 2022
Are you working with craftspeople, architects, and/or creatives that you’d like to mention?
Integral Studio for our bar/seating. Grand Rapids Chair for our furniture. Our employees (Nat, Hannah, and Hannah) for their amazing design and layout of our coffee shop.
Thank you!
Thanks!
The 2022 Build-Outs of Coffee is presented by Dripos, Dona, and Mill City Roasters. The 2022 Build-Outs of Coffee is sponsored by La Marzocco, Pacific Barista Series, Acaia, Cropster, and Marco Beverage Systems.
Explore every last Build-Out over the last decade in our archives.
