1999 feels like an entire lifetime ago. Christina Aguilera, the White Stripes, and Mos Def had all just released their debut albums. Magnolia, Varsity Blues, Being John Malkovich, Big Daddy even, all came out in ’99. Pierce Brosnan was still playing James Bond. The Euro was introduced. We all though Y2K was going to destroy the global computer network and send us all back to the Dark Ages. It seems absolutely wild to me that a specialty coffee company, any specialty coffee company, could have gotten their start at the same yet. Yet here we are, with Portland’s Stumptown Coffee Roasters nearing the quarter-century mark. And to celebrate, the specialty coffee pioneers have a host of festivities lined up and it’s all going back to where it began: SE Division Street.
It all started back in November of 1999 by founder Duane Sorenson with a five-kilo roaster and a dream. A lot has changed in the 25 years since. They’ve grown to include 12 locations around the US and one in Japan, Peet’s bought them, the brand became a B-Corp, and their coffee can be found on every Alaska Airlines flight. Stumptown has left an indelible mark on specialty coffee.
But perhaps the most impressive feat is simply existing for 25 years. And when you do something that not many other coffee companies can say they have done, you’ve earned the right to have an extended celebration. Throughout October and into November and December, the Stumptown events calendar is chockablock with things to do. They’re doing coffee tastings each week this month and movie nights every Friday—including a short film festival this week—and even live music in-store at the original SE Division location. Going on through the end of the year, Stumptown will be hosting an exclusive art installation that tells the history of the brand.
The main event, though, is the official birthday party. Taking place on November 2nd at the SE Division cafe, Stumptown is throwing an all-day bash to celebrate 25 years. The first 100 guests will get a free beverage of their choice courtesy of Oatly. There will be a screen printing pop-up by Misplaced Screen Printing. There will be a live band. And there will even be coffee cocktails made in collaboration with Straightaway Cocktails.
25 years is a long time to be doing anything, especially coffee. In an industry that sees brands come and go, sticking it out for the long haul—and remaining a big name in the industry all that time—makes the feat feel particularly noteworthy. More information about some the festivities can be found on Stumptown’s Facebook page.
Zac Cadwalader is the managing editor at Sprudge Media Network and a staff writer based in Dallas. Read more Zac Cadwalader on Sprudge.
