Fairhope Roasting Company

Fairhope Roasting Company is a locally owned, small-batch specialty coffee roaster headquartered in Fairhope, Alabama. Founded in 2014 by Hanson Eskridge, the company was established to fill a perceived gap in the local market for coffee roasted directly within the Fairhope community. Shortly after its inception, Eskridge brought on business partner Will Carlton to help scale operations and expand the company's reach within the region.

The company operates out of a facility located at 759 Nichols Avenue, a site it shares with the Warehouse Bakery and Donuts. This location serves as both a production hub and a point of contact for customers, offering retail sales of whole bean and ground coffee, as well as merchandise. The roastery has evolved since its early days at 361 Commercial Park Drive, moving to its current Nichols Avenue address to better integrate with the local retail landscape.

Ownership and management have been characterized by a small, dedicated team, including co-owners Mackenzie and Chase Chandler. The company maintains a lean operational structure, typically employing a small staff to manage the roasting, packaging, and distribution processes. Despite its modest size, the roastery has developed a broad product catalog that includes a variety of single-origin offerings from regions such as Ethiopia, Colombia, Guatemala, and Honduras, alongside numerous house-developed blends.

Fairhope Roasting Company’s sourcing philosophy centers on providing a wide selection of specialty-grade beans to cater to both casual drinkers and coffee enthusiasts. Their product lineup frequently features seasonal rotations, such as holiday-themed blends and specific single-origin lots like Ethiopian Guji or Costa Rican honey-processed beans. By maintaining a diverse inventory, the company aims to provide an accessible entry point into specialty coffee while serving the specific preferences of their local Alabama customer base.

Beyond direct retail, the company has expanded its business model to include private label services and wholesale distribution to local merchants. This approach has allowed the brand to establish a presence in various regional outlets, reinforcing its identity as a community-centric business. The company also utilizes its platform to engage in charitable giving and community events, further cementing its role as a fixture in the Fairhope business ecosystem.

In practice, the roastery emphasizes the freshness of its product, shipping orders daily to customers both domestically and internationally. The company has documented its ability to fulfill larger orders, such as international shipments to Tokyo, demonstrating a capacity that extends beyond its local storefront. Through a combination of online sales and local partnerships, Fairhope Roasting Company continues to operate as a boutique roaster focused on the intersection of local identity and global coffee sourcing.