Sometimes a change is in order. When you own a coffee shop, though, that may be easier said than done. But that didn’t stop Michael and Sarah Bigney. When the creators of upstate New York’s Crown Street Roasting Company wanted to head south, they did just that. They sold their coffee company after six years to move to Jacksonville, Florida, where they decided to launch a brand-new coffee brand Mechanism Coffee Roasters. Some people just have coffee in their bones.
The 2023 Build-Outs of Coffee is presented by DONA. The 2023 Build-Outs of Coffee is sponsored by La Marzocco, Pacific Barista Series, Acaia, and Marco Beverage Systems.
As told to Sprudge by Michael Bigney.
For those who aren’t familiar, will you tell us about your company?
My wife Sarah and I founded, owned/operated for six years, and sold Crown Street Roasting Company in upstate NY in February of 2023 to move to sunny Jacksonville, FL and start Mechanism Coffee Roasters. We will roast single origin coffees, offer pour-over and drip coffee, full espresso bar, have a small brunch menu including breakfast bowls/wraps, toast menu, and lunch quinoa/mixed green bowls.
Can you tell us a bit about the new space?
Our new space is roughly 2,700-square-foot split space. One side will be our roasting/packaging facility, office, and kitchen. The other half will be our cafe that’s decorated modern/minimalist, 17-foot-high ceilings, white quartz counter top, leather couch and accent chairs, butcher block tables, and plenty of plants.
What’s your approach to coffee?
From a backend/employee side our approach is to always highlight the origin and honor the work that’s come before us. Our approach to coffee from a customer perspective is to eliminate any and all intimidation. We understand the world of coffee is extensive, but we don’t want our customers to feel that. A simple, intuitive approach to help eliminate barriers.
Any machines, coffees, special equipment lined up?
A matte white three-group gravimetric Victoria Arduino Black Eagle, two Mahlkönig e65 GBWs, FETCO XTS dual brewer, and a Mahlkönig EK43.
How is your project considering sustainability?
We look to prioritize our offerings from and ethically conscious smaller farms and suppliers. In the past we’ve had successful in-house recycling and composting systems in place and continue to do so with Mechanism.
What’s your hopeful target opening date/month?
We are aiming for August 1st (which coincidentally is the anniversary date for our previous coffee company as well).
Thank you!
Thank you!
The 2023 Build-Outs of Coffee is presented by DONA. The 2023 Build-Outs of Coffee is sponsored by La Marzocco, Pacific Barista Series, Acaia, and Marco Beverage Systems.
