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US Brand Directory
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · Specialty Coffee Brand Deep Dive

Ellis Coffee Company

Ellis Coffee Company brand artwork
IndependentRoasts its own coffeeSourcing: Limited public info
Visit Ellis Coffee Company's site

Ellis Coffee Company began in 1854 as a tea and coffee importing shop on South 8th Street in Philadelphia. The business was later purchased and renamed by John Ellis, a former employee who took over operations at age thirteen in 1908. Today, the company continues to roast its coffee in the Bridesburg section of Philadelphia. It is documented as one of the oldest family-owned and operated coffee roasters in the United States, maintaining a multi-generational legacy that spans over 170 years.

Ownership
Ellis Coffee Company is an independent, family-owned and operated business. It is currently led by the Kestenbaum family, representing the fourth generation of ownership.
Founded
1854
Roasting
Reported to roast in-house.
What it's known for
Ellis Coffee is known for its long-standing history as one of the oldest family-owned coffee roasters in the United States. They are recognized for providing wholesale coffee solutions, equipment support, and artisan-roasted blends to businesses, food service providers, and C-stores.
Sourcing countries
Indonesia
Farm-level sourcing
The brand sources coffee globally but does not publicly disclose specific farm or producer names for its offerings. Their sustainable line features Rainforest Alliance Certified beans, and they utilize regional descriptors such as Sumatra for their blends.
Notable coffees
  • — Philadelphia Roast
  • — William Penn
  • — Dock Street
  • — Presidential Roast
  • — Jambi’s Java
Documented coffee offerings

Coffees researched from Ellis Coffee Company

These are examples recorded during editorial research. They are not a live product feed. The coffee, lot, price, and availability may have changed. We have not necessarily brewed these coffees ourselves.

RFA Certified Costa Rican Tarrazu

Tarrazu, Costa Rica

A lightly roasted coffee that highlights subtle winey flavors characteristic of the region.

Original roaster or listing source

External customer, cafe, marketplace, and class ratings are not comparable measures of the quality of an individual coffee. We do not convert them into original tasting scores or brand-wide star ratings. Our independent reviews are published separately after a coffee has actually been brewed and evaluated.

Verify original product sources

Retailer information: Ellis Coffee Company

Documented online sources
Historical source note (not live inventory): The brand's official retail site, with orders fulfilled by the non-profit organization Pletho.org.
Website
Historical source note (not live inventory): Sells a variety of Ellis Coffee single-serve pods and ground coffee products.
Website
Historical source note (not live inventory): Offers various Ellis Coffee single-serve pods and ground coffee selections online.
Website
Historical source note (not live inventory): Provides delivery or pickup options for specific Ellis Coffee ground coffee products.
Website

I verified the brand's primary online sales channels through their official website and major e-commerce platforms; while the brand supplies coffee to convenience stores and food service providers, specific physical retail locations are not publicly listed in a searchable store locator.

These references come from public store locators, retailer listings and brand materials. Last checked Nov 5, 2026. They are research links, not proof of current stock or a buying recommendation. Verify availability, price and location directly with the source.
In the news

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

2026-09-29 · PA Times Media
Brewing community at the Philly Coffee Festival

Ellis Coffee, a long-standing Philadelphia roaster, participated in the Philly Coffee Festival to showcase its history and coffee offerings. The company highlighted its local partnerships, including its role as the exclusive roaster for the Philadelphia Museum of Art and its conservation-focused collaboration with the Philadelphia Zoo.

Research disclosure — this profile was compiled from public online sources on 2026-10-04. 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 mentions sourcing coffee from around the world, they do not provide a comprehensive list of sourcing countries or specific farm-level details on their public website.