Kool Beans Coffee and Roasterie

Kool Beans Coffee and Roasterie is a family-owned and operated coffee business located in downtown Brookings, South Dakota. The company operates out of a storefront situated in the oldest building on Main Avenue, serving as both a retail coffee shop and an active roasting facility. The business is currently co-owned by Kurt Osborne and his daughter, Erinn Thomas, representing a transition from a small-scale home project to a established local fixture.

The origins of the company are rooted in the personal hobby of Kurt Osborne, who began his journey into coffee by roasting beans in a popcorn popper within his own garage. This early experimentation with roasting techniques eventually scaled into a commercial operation, leading to the establishment of the current brick-and-mortar location in Brookings. The company maintains a consistent presence in the local community, often participating in regional events and maintaining regular retail hours.

In terms of its sourcing and production, Kool Beans Coffee and Roasterie emphasizes on-site roasting to ensure product freshness. The company offers a variety of coffee profiles, including single-origin offerings and signature blends such as the Black & Tan and Black Jack Espresso. Their product lineup also extends to flavored coffees, such as Highlander Grogg and Salty Caramel, alongside various single-serve options designed for convenience.

A notable aspect of the company's sourcing strategy is its partnership with the Greater Milwaukee Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Through this connection, the roasterie sources coffee from the Mt. Meru region in Tanzania. This specific supply chain allows them to offer Mt. Meru Peaberry, Select, and Decaf coffees, which are marketed for their distinct flavor profiles, often characterized by notes of milk chocolate, citrus, and chamomile.

The company positions itself around the pillars of community, quality, and sustainability. In practice, this includes initiatives such as zero-waste cold brew and the production of kombucha. By maintaining a direct-to-consumer model through their downtown shop and online store, they focus on providing a localized coffee experience that prioritizes transparency regarding their roasting process and the origins of their specific Tanzanian offerings.

Today, Kool Beans Coffee and Roasterie remains a prominent example of a small-town roaster that has successfully leveraged a community-centric business model. By balancing traditional roasting methods with a commitment to local engagement, the company continues to serve as a hub for coffee drinkers in Brookings, while maintaining its identity as a family-run enterprise that grew from humble, garage-based beginnings.