Hill Tree Roastery

Hill Tree Roastery is a specialty coffee company headquartered in Huntington, West Virginia, established in 2017. The business was founded by Alek Dailey and Bryan Shaw, who were driven by a shared passion for coffee and a desire to create a space that facilitated human connection. The roastery operates both as a production facility and a retail café, serving as a community hub where customers can engage with the roasting process and learn about the origins of their coffee. In early 2026, the company reached a significant milestone by officially registering its name as a trademark.

The company’s operational philosophy centers on the concept of small-batch roasting. By utilizing proprietary roasting profiles, the roastery aims to highlight the specific terroir, elevation, and processing methods of each coffee. Their product line consists primarily of single-origin offerings, which are available for retail purchase in 12oz bags or for wholesale in 5lb quantities. The roastery maintains a consistent focus on transparency, providing customers with detailed information regarding the farm, region, and country of origin for their selections.

Sourcing is a cornerstone of the Hill Tree Roastery model. The company explicitly states a commitment to ethical sourcing, prioritizing relationships with small family farms and producers. Their procurement strategy emphasizes the use of Fair Trade, sustainable production, and organic products whenever possible. This approach is framed by the company as a way to support the welfare of farming communities, acknowledging that the quality of the final cup is fundamentally dependent on the labor and expertise of the farmers who cultivate the beans.

Beyond its role as a roaster, the company functions as an educational resource for its local community. The café environment is designed to encourage dialogue, with staff providing insights into coffee varieties and brewing techniques. This educational mission extends to their digital presence, where they offer a subscription service titled the 'Roaster’s Passport Club.' This program is designed to guide consumers through different coffee-growing regions, providing tasting notes and context for each shipment to deepen the drinker's appreciation for the supply chain.

The roastery is located at 6326 E Pea Ridge Rd in Huntington, where it operates a café that offers a variety of handcrafted espresso drinks, teas, and other beverages. The business has integrated modern convenience into its operations, including mobile ordering systems to facilitate customer service. Despite its growth and the formalization of its brand, the company maintains its identity as a locally owned, small-batch operation that prioritizes the social aspects of coffee culture.

Ultimately, Hill Tree Roastery represents a segment of the specialty coffee industry that seeks to bridge the gap between the consumer and the producer. By focusing on the narrative of the coffee—from the volcanic soil of the farm to the final brew—the company attempts to foster a sense of shared responsibility and appreciation. Its story is one of local entrepreneurship, where the act of roasting is treated as a medium for building relationships and supporting sustainable agricultural practices.