Tern Coffee & Tea

Tern Coffee & Tea is a specialty coffee roastery and retail space located in Brunswick, Maine. The company is owned and operated by Heidi and Chris Townsend, a husband-and-wife team with nearly two decades of professional experience in the coffee industry, spanning roles from roasting and sourcing to equipment maintenance. Before establishing their brick-and-mortar presence on Maine Street in 2025, the Townsends operated Tern Coffee Roasters as a home-based business in Jefferson, Maine, starting in 2023.

The company’s operational philosophy is rooted in a dual focus on product quality and technical support. Chris Townsend also operates Coastal Coffee Tech, a service business dedicated to the maintenance and repair of coffee roasting and brewing equipment. This technical background informs the company’s retail model, which serves as both a café and a showroom for high-end espresso machines, barista tools, and brewing equipment, allowing the owners to share their expertise with the local community.

Sustainability is a core pillar of the roastery’s production model. Tern Coffee & Tea utilizes electric roasting technology to minimize their environmental footprint and prioritizes the use of fully recyclable packaging. Their mission statement emphasizes a commitment to climate-friendly solutions and the development of educational programming, including weekend coffee tastings and workshops designed to deepen consumer understanding of the supply chain.

Sourcing at Tern Coffee & Tea is characterized by a focus on specific regional partnerships. The company has documented a particular emphasis on building direct relationships with producers in Mexico and El Salvador. Additionally, their tea program features selections sourced from Yunnan, China, reflecting a broader commitment to curated, origin-focused procurement that extends beyond coffee.

The café menu in Brunswick offers a variety of specialty preparations, including Kyoto-style slow-drip coffee, nitro cold brew, and traditional espresso-based drinks. The shop also distinguishes itself through in-house production, such as their homemade almond milk, and a selection of sweeteners like maple syrup. By offering both retail coffee and professional-grade equipment, the business functions as a hub for both casual consumers and home-brewing enthusiasts.

Today, the company stands as a representative of the modern micro-roastery movement, where the lines between equipment service, roasting, and retail education are blurred. By maintaining a small-scale operation, the Townsends aim to retain control over their sourcing and roasting processes while fostering a direct connection with their local Maine customer base. Their transition from a home-based roastery to a downtown storefront marks a significant expansion of their capacity to provide both product and technical education.