Texas Coffee Traders

Texas Coffee Traders was founded in 1994 by RC and Beth Beall, childhood friends who returned to their home state of Texas to establish what would become a staple of the Austin coffee community. For nearly three decades, the company operated out of a landmark location in East Austin, earning the moniker of 'Austin’s Original Eastside Roastery.' The company has evolved from a singular roastery into a multi-faceted operation that includes wholesale distribution, equipment sales and service through its Coffee Techs division, and retail cafe spaces.

In 2024, the company transitioned from its original East Austin site to three new locations within the same neighborhood: a dedicated warehouse and roastery on Wilcab Road, a retail cafe on East 7th Street, and a headquarters for its technical services on Airport Boulevard. This expansion marked a significant milestone for a business that has remained locally owned and operated throughout its thirty-year history, maintaining a consistent presence as the city’s specialty coffee landscape grew around it.

The company’s sourcing philosophy is built upon long-term relationships and a commitment to fair-trade standards. Texas Coffee Traders sources single-origin beans from diverse growing regions, including Central and South America, Southeast Asia, and Africa. By prioritizing fair-trade practices, the company aims to support coffee farmers through higher purchase prices and the development of sustainable, symbiotic partnerships. This focus on ethical sourcing has been a core component of their identity since their early years.

Beyond roasting and retail, Texas Coffee Traders has played a notable role in coffee education. The company established one of the first Specialty Coffee Association (SCA)-certified educational campuses in the United States. This facility, equipped with a state-of-the-art cupping lab, provides training on coffee history, brewing techniques, and sensory flavor profiling, serving both industry professionals and home enthusiasts looking to deepen their understanding of coffee culture.

Their product range is extensive, spanning the full spectrum of roast profiles from light to dark. They offer a wide variety of single-origin coffees, signature blends, decaf options, and flavored coffees. This breadth of selection is designed to cater to a diverse customer base, ranging from individual coffee drinkers to wholesale clients such as cafes and restaurants that rely on the company for both beans and technical equipment support.

The company’s longevity is often attributed to its focus on hospitality and community engagement. By maintaining a transparent and accessible approach—such as allowing patrons to sample drip coffee before purchase—they have fostered a reputation for being a welcoming, non-pretentious institution. This community-centric model extends to their involvement in local farmers' markets and fundraising events, reinforcing their status as a fixture of the Austin business landscape.

Today, Texas Coffee Traders stands as a bridge between the early days of Austin’s specialty coffee movement and the modern, highly competitive market. By balancing traditional roasting methods with a commitment to modern industry standards like SCA certification and fair-trade sourcing, the company continues to operate as a comprehensive resource for coffee equipment, education, and freshly roasted beans in Central Texas.