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Wichita, Kansas · Specialty Coffee Brand Deep Dive

The Spice Merchant & Co.

Editorial sacred-geometry artwork for The Spice Merchant & Co.; not a documentary photograph
IndependentRoasts its own coffeeSourcing: Origin / region level
TagsThe Spice Merchant & Co.Kansas coffee roastersEthiopiaZimbabweYemenPapua New GuineaMexicoHondurasPeruBrazilIndonesiaIndependentOrigin / region levelRoasts in-house
Visit The Spice Merchant & Co.'s site

The Spice Merchant & Co. is a historic Wichita-based retailer and roastery that has served the community since 1980. Operating out of the landmark Mentholatum Building, the company specializes in freshly roasted coffee, a massive selection of loose-leaf teas, and a wide array of bulk spices. It remains a local staple for specialty food items and gifts, emphasizing a nostalgic, welcoming retail experience.

Ownership
The Spice Merchant & Co. is an independent, family-owned business founded and managed by Bob Boewe.
Founded
1980
Roasting
Reported to roast in-house.
What it's known for
The Spice Merchant is a long-standing Wichita institution known for being the city's original gourmet coffee roaster. It is highly regarded for its vast selection of over 80 coffee varieties, 200+ teas, and extensive spice collection housed in a historic 1908 building.
Sourcing countries
Ethiopia · Zimbabwe · Yemen · Papua New Guinea · Mexico · Honduras · Peru · Brazil · Indonesia
Farm-level sourcing
The brand sources green coffee from numerous countries globally, maintaining long-standing relationships with importers. They offer a mix of single-origin coffees and a wide variety of flavored blends, but do not typically publish specific farm or producer names for their offerings.
Notable coffees
  • — Bali Kintamani Organic
  • — Brazil Jazblu Peaberry
  • — Brazil Mantiqueira
  • — The Captain (Rum-processed Peruvian)
  • — Bob’s 455
In the news

Recent news and media coverage about The Spice Merchant & Co., as documented by outside outlets. We link to the original reporting and do not rewrite or endorse it.

2025-04-05 · KSN News
‘We’re having to reprice’: Wichita business on new tariffs

Owner Bob Boewe discussed the impact of new tariffs on his long-standing Wichita coffee and tea business. He noted that increased costs for imported goods, such as tea from Canada, are forcing the company to reevaluate its pricing strategy.

Sources used in this deep dive
Research disclosure — this profile was compiled from public online sources on 2026-10-23. 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 coffee origins and regions, it does not provide granular transparency regarding specific farm or washing station names for its products.

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