US Brand Directory
Columbia, Missouri, Missouri · Specialty Coffee Brand Deep Dive
Fretboard Coffee
IndependentRoasts its own coffeeSourcing: Limited public info
TagsFretboard CoffeeMissouri coffee roastersKenyaEthiopiaSumatraBrazilGuatemalaIndependentRoasts in-house
Visit Fretboard Coffee's site Fretboard Coffee is a specialty roastery and cafe in Columbia, Missouri, that bridges the owner's passions for music and high-quality coffee. They focus on providing ethically sourced, organic, and chemical-free beans while offering a diverse range of manual brewing methods to their customers. The shop serves as a community hub in the North Village Arts District, featuring a distinct industrial aesthetic and a commitment to environmental sustainability.
Ownership
Fretboard Coffee is an independent, family-owned business founded and operated by Dave Elman.
Founded
2009
Roasting
Reported to roast in-house.
What it's known for
Fretboard Coffee is known for its music-themed branding, commitment to organic and chemical-free sourcing, and its wide variety of manual brewing methods offered in its North Village Arts District cafe.
Sourcing countries
Kenya · Ethiopia · Sumatra · Brazil · Guatemala
Farm-level sourcing
The brand emphasizes that all coffees are ethically sourced via Fair Trade or Direct Trade practices and are grown organically without chemicals or pesticides. While they specify the countries of origin, they do not consistently publish the names of specific farms or producers for their current offerings.
Notable coffees
- — Moka Java
- — Porch Jam
Sources used in this deep dive
- https://www.fretboardcoffee.com/
- https://www.fretboardcoffee.com/about-fretboard-coffee
- https://columbiafarmersmarket.org/fretboard-coffee
- https://missourilife.com/show-me-the-best-drinks
- https://linkedin.com/company/fretboard-coffee
- https://caffeinatedathlete.com/2018/07/19/fretboard-coffee
- https://marketspread.com/vendor/3863/fretboard-coffee-inc
- https://www.voxmagazine.com/news/people/dave-elman-roasts-and-rocks-at-fretboard
- https://linkedin.com/in/david-elman-7a67253
Research disclosure — this profile was compiled from public online sources on 2026-10-24. 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 lists specific countries of origin, I could not verify the names of the specific farms or washing stations for their current coffee lineup.