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Chicago, Illinois · Specialty Coffee Brand Deep Dive

Big Shoulders Coffee

Editorial sacred-geometry artwork for Big Shoulders Coffee; not a documentary photograph
IndependentRoasts its own coffeeSourcing: Origin / region level
TagsBig Shoulders CoffeeIllinois coffee roastersColombiaEthiopiaUgandaVietnamIndependentOrigin / region levelRoasts in-house
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Big Shoulders Coffee is a Chicago-based roaster and cafe operator that emphasizes a chef-driven, artisan approach to coffee. Founded by a former chef, the company focuses on precision roasting and direct sourcing to highlight the unique characteristics of each origin. They are recognized for their welcoming, community-focused cafes and a commitment to quality that eschews industry pretension.

Ownership
Big Shoulders Coffee is an independent, family-owned business founded by Tim and Patricia Coonan.
Founded
2012
Roasting
Reported to roast in-house.
What it's known for
The brand is known for its no-nonsense, chef-driven approach to roasting and its commitment to high-quality, fresh-roasted coffee that reflects Chicago's hardworking culture.
Sourcing countries
Colombia · Ethiopia · Uganda · Vietnam
Farm-level sourcing
The brand sources coffee through direct relationships with farmers to ensure quality and integrity. While they highlight specific origins and regions, they generally do not publish detailed farm or producer names for every offering.
Notable coffees
  • — Manos de Mujer (Colombia)
  • — Ethiopia Natural
  • — Uganda Bugisu
  • — Dalat (Vietnam)
  • — Hanoi OG (Vietnam)
  • — Night Shift
In the news

Recent news and media coverage about Big Shoulders Coffee, as documented by outside outlets. We link to the original reporting and do not rewrite or endorse it.

2026-09-29 · Chicago Star Media
5 Chicago coffee shops to sip at for National Coffee Day

Big Shoulders Coffee was highlighted as a featured destination for National Coffee Day in Chicago. The coverage notes the brand's presence across multiple neighborhoods and its offerings, including manual brew methods and specialty latte creations.

Sources used in this deep dive
Research disclosure — this profile was compiled from public online sources on 2026-10-19. This company overview is not a tasting review. Original tasting reviews are labeled separately when they exist. Ownership, roasting and sourcing details are attributed to documented sources. While the brand emphasizes direct relationships with farmers, specific farm names or producer details are not consistently listed on their public-facing product pages.

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