There’s just something about a good multiroaster. Declared prematurely dead somewhere in, let’s say, 2018—around the time Go Get Em Tiger transitioned out of the model—coffee shops serving multiple roasters from around the country (or world) have enjoyed something of an unexpected revival as of late. In Los Angeles alone there are multiple outstanding examples, including Kumquat, Dayglow, and Document Coffee Bar, keeping the multiroaster flame burning as original lit by GGET (and before that, G&B Coffee at Grand Central Market). Meanwhile relevant multiroasters in other parts of the country continue to thrive, like Narrative Coffee in Everett, Washington, The Coffee Movement in San Francisco, and FRGMNT in Minneapolis, to name just a few.
Today we’re checking out another intriguing node of the multiroaster trend: Thank You Thank You Coffee Brewers in Philadelphia, PA.
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 Cody McGregor.
For those who aren’t familiar, will you tell us about your company?
Thank You Thank You is a multi roaster cafe in center city Philadelphia. It came to be out of the desire to reconnect with cafe service after years of working in a non-customer-facing role in coffee. After the mass lay offs in March 2020, I found myself behind the counter serving my community at a time when real human connection felt incredibly rare. It was rejuvenating and invigorating for me to connect with people in my neighborhood even through a plexiglass window covering the cafe doorway. It also really drove home that the coffee industry needs to address the funneling of barista talent out of cafes in search of living wages. We cannot progress service if our veteran staff is constantly forced to leave the cafe in order to pay their rent.
Can you tell us a bit about the new space?
Thank You Thank You is housed in a tiny corner spot on the first floor of a beautiful building from 1860. We’re a block from Washington Square park on Philadelphia’s Jewelers’ Row. In a way it evoked a lot of my nostalgia for places like the St Marks Place Box Kite that made early impressions on me.
What’s your approach to coffee?
I’m pretty agnostic to a lot of the lines you can draw in the sand. If it was treated with intention through the supply chain, I’m happy to let those flavors speak for themselves. Right now the menu leans lighter and brighter with offerings from Sey and April simply because those are the coffees I want to be drinking in the summer, but as the season’s change I’m sure that will shift a little. Our espresso is a naturally processed coffee from Ethiopia courtesy of the folks at Coava Coffee. My first pivotal coffee moment came from a very similar coffee so it’s been a joy to have that experience on the menu for people.
Any machines, coffees, special equipment lined up?
Our espresso set up is a La Marzocco GS3 AV paired with a Simonelli Mythos Clima Pro. Drip coffee is brewed either using the Curtis G4 brewer or the Kalita Wave 185. Iced coffee by the cup is prepared with an AeroPress and our main grinder is a Ditting 807 Lab Sweet.
How is your project considering sustainability?
From an eco sustainability standpoint, we’re doing the minimum right now with room to improve always. Compostable cups, lids, and straws. Trying to encourage for here dining as much as possible. A majority of our wares were sourced secondhand. Currently trying to work out a composting set up.
From an employee sustainability standpoint, we’re a gratuity free establishment to ensure that barista pay isn’t at the mercy of customer’s kindness. Building out a smaller cafe was also crucial in creating a work environment that limiting repetitive stress injuries. It’ll always be a work in progress though.
What’s your hopeful target opening date/month?
Our goal was June 1st and we were able to open our doors May 21st.
Are you working with craftspeople, architects, and/or creatives that you’d like to mention?
Eric Hinkley did a tremendous job with our branding. Josh Rothman at Length Times Width was behind all of our carpentry. Christian at Keystone Sign & Company hand painted our window sign. I was incredibly fortunate to work with some truly talented folks that helped make this a reality.
Thank you!
Thank y’all so much!
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.
