CR Coffee

CR Coffee Shop is a multi-faceted coffee enterprise based in New Orleans, Louisiana, operating as a neighborhood coffee shop, a small-batch roastery, and an online retail brand. The company was founded in 2015 by Kevin Pedeaux, who initially entered the coffee industry after working as a sales representative for a local bakery. Pedeaux’s experience delivering goods to various coffee shops sparked an interest in specialty coffee, eventually leading him to transition from a career in television news to full-time coffee production.

The core of the company’s identity is its exclusive partnership with Coast Roast Coffee, a roasting operation co-founded by Pedeaux and Shawn Montella in 2009. Unlike modern industrial roasters, Coast Roast is distinguished by its use of authentic, antique 1910s Royal No. 6 drum roasters. These machines were sourced from estate sales and restored to working order, making the company one of the few in the United States to utilize century-old equipment for commercial production.

Production takes place on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, where the beans are roasted in small batches. The roasting philosophy centers on a slow, deliberate process intended to highlight specific flavor profiles, such as their signature French Roast, which utilizes a controlled airflow technique to trap smoke within the drum. This method is designed to achieve a dark, smoky profile without the bitterness often associated with high-heat, rapid-roasting methods.

Sourcing for the brand is primarily conducted through the Port of New Orleans, emphasizing the company's connection to its regional roots. By maintaining a direct link between the Gulf Coast roasting facility and the New Orleans retail locations, the company aims to ensure that coffee reaches the consumer shortly after the roasting process is complete. This logistical approach is a central component of their commitment to freshness.

In practice, CR Coffee operates four physical locations across New Orleans, serving as both a community hub and a retail outlet for their roasted beans. The brand has expanded its reach through a nationwide shipping platform, allowing customers outside of Louisiana to access coffee processed on their vintage equipment. The business model remains focused on the intersection of historical roasting technology and modern specialty coffee service.

While the company maintains a distinct niche through its antique equipment, it operates within the broader specialty coffee market, which increasingly values transparency and technical precision. The brand’s longevity, dating back to the 2009 founding of Coast Roast, reflects a sustained commitment to a specific, traditionalist approach to coffee preparation that differentiates it from contemporary, high-tech roasting operations.