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Mena, Arkansas · Specialty Coffee Brand Deep Dive

The Ouachitas

Editorial sacred-geometry artwork for The Ouachitas; not a documentary photograph
IndependentRoasts its own coffeeSourcing: Limited public info
TagsThe OuachitasArkansas coffee roastersColombiaEthiopiaIndependentRoasts in-house
Visit The Ouachitas's site

The Ouachitas was founded in October 2018 by Derek Campbell in his hometown of Mena, Arkansas. After gaining industry experience as a barista and roaster in Seattle, Campbell returned to Mena to establish a community-focused space that roasts coffee on a weekly basis. The business is documented for its unique hybrid model, which integrates a specialty coffee roastery with a restaurant and a brewery. It serves as a local gathering hub that hosts live music and community events.

Ownership
The Ouachitas is an independent, family-owned business founded by Derek Campbell.
Founded
2018
Roasting
Reported to roast in-house.
What it's known for
The Ouachitas is known for being a unique hybrid establishment in Mena, Arkansas, that combines a specialty coffee roastery, a restaurant, and a brewery.
Sourcing countries
Colombia · Ethiopia
Farm-level sourcing
The brand sources coffee for its blends, such as the Shady Mountain blend, which includes Colombian and Ethiopian components. They do not publicly list specific farm or producer names for their offerings.
Notable coffees
  • — Shady Mountain
  • — Yocana
  • — El Salvador El Paraiso
  • — Sumatra Kerinci Highlands
  • — Ethiopia Guji Urage
Documented coffee offerings

Coffees researched from The Ouachitas

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.

El Salvador

El Paraiso, El Salvador · Natural

A natural processed coffee offering sweet and fruity flavor profiles typical of the El Paraiso 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: The Ouachitas

Documented physical retailers
The Ouachitas
Historical source note (not live inventory): The brand operates a physical coffee bar and roastery in Mena, Arkansas, where they serve and sell their roasted coffee.
Physical
Documented online sources
The Ouachitas's online shop
Historical source note (not live inventory): The brand sells their roasted coffee beans directly to consumers through their official website.
Website

I was able to verify that The Ouachitas sells its coffee through its own physical location in Mena, Arkansas, and via its dedicated online ordering platform; no other third-party retail outlets selling their branded coffee bags were identified.

These references come from public store locators, retailer listings and brand materials. Last checked Nov 13, 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 The Ouachitas, as documented by outside outlets. We link to the original reporting and do not rewrite or endorse it.

2026-01-13 · Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Natural State Initiative Opportunity Zones focus of Mena meeting

The Arkansas Office of Outdoors scheduled a public meeting at The Ouachitas restaurant in Mena to discuss the economic impact of the Natural State Initiative Opportunity Zone. The event aimed to engage local business owners and entrepreneurs regarding investment opportunities in regional outdoor recreation.

Sources used in this deep dive
Research disclosure — this profile was compiled from public online sources on 2026-10-17. 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 from small-scale farms, I could not verify specific farm names or direct trade certifications beyond the general country origins.

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