Gaslight Coffee Roasters

Gaslight Coffee Roasters is a specialty coffee company based in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. Established in the fall of 2012, the business operates as a combined roastery, retail café, and kitchen. The company is situated in a distinctive wedge-shaped building at 2385 N. Milwaukee Avenue, a location that has become a recognizable fixture in the local specialty coffee landscape.

The company was founded by Tristan Coulter and Zak Rye, both of whom brought professional experience from Metropolis Coffee Company, a roastery instrumental in the early development of Chicago’s specialty coffee scene. Their background in the industry informed the establishment of Gaslight as a roaster-retailer that prioritizes on-site production, with roasting equipment housed in a glass-enclosed room within the café space.

Gaslight’s operational model centers on the integration of roasting and service. By roasting on-site several times a week, the company maintains a direct connection between the production process and the consumer experience. This setup allows the café to offer a rotating menu of house-roasted coffees, which are frequently supplemented by guest roasters, ensuring the selection remains dynamic and responsive to seasonal availability.

The sourcing philosophy at Gaslight focuses on a diverse range of origins, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Guatemala, Honduras, and Costa Rica. The roastery’s output is characterized by a balance between the bright, structured profiles typical of East African coffees and the rounder, chocolate-forward profiles often associated with Central American lots. They utilize various processing methods, including washed and honey-processed coffees, to highlight specific regional characteristics.

Beyond its coffee program, Gaslight distinguishes itself within the specialty coffee sector by maintaining a full kitchen. The café serves a menu of seasonal dishes alongside a selection of pastries and cakes, operating as a hybrid hospitality space. This approach has contributed to its reputation as a community-focused hub in Logan Square, bridging the gap between the neighborhood's various coffee clusters.

As a private entity, Gaslight Coffee Roasters operates with a small team, typically employing fewer than ten people. The company has maintained a consistent presence in the Chicago coffee market for over a decade, focusing on its retail operations and subscription services. Its longevity and commitment to on-site roasting have solidified its status as a notable independent roaster in a city with a highly competitive coffee culture.