Boston Common Coffee Co

Boston Common Coffee Co. was established in 2004 by founders Anthony Massari and Peter Femino. For the first 15 years of its operation, the company functioned primarily as a local retail chain, operating several café locations across Boston, including sites in the North End, Downtown Crossing, the Financial District, and near North Station. During this period, the company built a reputation as an independent roaster and retailer, with roasting operations historically located in facilities such as Hopedale, Massachusetts.

Following a decade and a half of retail growth, the company underwent a significant strategic shift. In 2019, Massari and Femino sold the business to David Croteau and Kevin Dogherty. This ownership transition marked a pivot away from the brick-and-mortar café model. By 2019, the company had closed its various retail storefronts, including the Canal Street and Washington Street locations, to focus exclusively on roasting, wholesale supply, office coffee programs, and online sales.

Under the new ownership, the company relocated its operations to Pelham, New Hampshire. This move facilitated a business model centered on e-commerce, including a monthly coffee club subscription service, and the expansion of its wholesale and office coffee service divisions. The company’s product catalog evolved to include a diverse range of offerings, such as single-origin coffees, signature blends, flavored coffees, cold brew, and single-serve pods, catering to both home consumers and corporate clients.

In October 2025, the company underwent another ownership change, being acquired by Marcel and Joshua Matte. This transition maintained the brand's identity as a family-owned roasting operation while signaling a continued focus on wholesale partnerships and product diversification. The new ownership has outlined plans for future growth, including the introduction of new limited-roast coffee lines, such as the Red Tail brand, scheduled for 2026.

Throughout its history, Boston Common Coffee has positioned itself as a provider of small-batch, hand-roasted coffee. Its operational philosophy emphasizes accessibility and service, leveraging its brand equity to support fundraising programs for organizations and providing shipping services across the lower 48 states. The company’s current infrastructure in New Hampshire supports its primary functions of roasting, packaging, and distribution.

While the company no longer operates the physical cafés that defined its early years, it remains active in the specialty coffee sector through its digital presence and wholesale distribution. The brand’s trajectory reflects a broader trend in the coffee industry where established roasters move away from the high overhead of retail storefronts to prioritize scalable e-commerce and B2B service models.