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Portland, Maine, Maine · Specialty Coffee Brand Deep Dive

Freeport Coffee Roasting

Editorial sacred-geometry artwork for Freeport Coffee Roasting; not a documentary photograph
IndependentRoasts its own coffeeSourcing: Origin / region level
TagsFreeport Coffee RoastingMaine coffee roastersColombiaGuatemalaIndiaBurundiIndependentOrigin / region levelRoasts in-house
Visit Freeport Coffee Roasting's site

Coffee By Design is a pioneering Portland-based roastery that has served as a community hub and artisanal coffee leader in Maine for three decades. The company is deeply involved in social and environmental initiatives, maintaining a focus on ethical sourcing and supporting local arts and progressive causes. They operate multiple coffeehouses and provide wholesale coffee to customers worldwide.

Ownership
The company is independent and 100% woman-owned by Mary Allen Lindemann, who became the sole owner in 2023 after co-founder Alan Spear sold his shares.
Founded
1994
Roasting
Reported to roast in-house.
What it's known for
Coffee By Design is an iconic Maine roaster recognized for its long-standing commitment to community support, the arts, and ethical sourcing, earning the Macro Roaster of the Year award from Roast Magazine in 2020.
Sourcing countries
Colombia · Guatemala · India · Burundi
Farm-level sourcing
The brand engages in direct project work in specific countries to improve quality of life for coffee-growing communities. While they emphasize ethical sourcing and visit farm partners, their public-facing information typically highlights regions and project-based initiatives rather than specific farm or producer names for every offering.
Notable coffees
  • — Campfire Cheer
  • — Summit Bliss
  • — Maple Mornings
  • — Blueberry Fields
In the news

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

2024-08-09 · Portland Press Herald
Coffee By Design closes India Street cafe in Portland

Coffee By Design closed its India Street location in Portland, marking the third retail closure for the company in approximately 18 months. The roaster now operates solely out of its Diamond Street facility, which continues to serve as both a cafe and the company's primary roasting hub.

2023-10-26 · Daily Coffee News
Maine's Coffee By Design Voluntarily Recognizes Employee Union

Coffee By Design management voluntarily recognized Local 327 of the Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA) to represent its retail baristas. This move, which allowed contract negotiations to begin immediately, was noted as a rare instance of voluntary union recognition within the modern specialty coffee industry.

2023-05-30 · Portland Press Herald
Coffee By Design says goodbye to Freeport

Coffee By Design closed its long-standing location inside the L.L. Bean flagship store in Freeport. The closure was prompted by a multi-million dollar campus renovation project by L.L. Bean that required the space to be vacated earlier than originally planned.

Sources used in this deep dive
Research disclosure — this profile was compiled from public online sources on 2026-10-21. 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 has a long history in Maine, I could not verify if they currently operate a physical retail location within the town of Freeport, as their previous location at the L.L. Bean flagship store closed in 2023.

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