Water Avenue Coffee Company

Water Avenue Coffee Company was established in the winter of 2009 in Portland, Oregon’s Southeast Industrial District. The company was founded by Bruce and Matt Milletto, a father-son team with deep roots in the specialty coffee industry. Bruce Milletto, recognized as a Specialty Coffee Association 'Coffee Luminary,' had previously founded Bellissimo Coffee Advisors in 1991, while Matt Milletto co-founded the American Barista and Coffee School (ABCS) in 2003. The roastery was strategically located in the same building as the ABCS, allowing the founders to leverage their decades of experience in coffee education and consulting to support their retail and roasting operations.

At its inception, the company focused on small-batch production, utilizing a vintage 1974 Samiac roaster sourced from Switzerland. The founders initially adopted a cautious growth strategy, keeping overhead costs low and focusing on building a 'third place' for the local neighborhood. Before expanding their retail footprint, the company began by serving a small number of wholesale accounts and roasting micro-batches for local coffee bars, often in quantities as small as two pounds at a time.

Water Avenue Coffee maintains a strong emphasis on local stewardship and community engagement. A significant portion of their business model is built around a hyper-local distribution network, with approximately 90% of their roasted coffee hand-delivered to wholesale partners within a 50-mile radius of their Portland roastery. This commitment to the local economy is a core component of their operational philosophy, which prioritizes environmental, social, and economic sustainability.

Sourcing at Water Avenue is characterized by a direct-trade approach, where the company works to establish relationships with coffee farmers to secure high-quality crops. The company emphasizes transparency, aiming to share the specific stories behind their coffees with their customers. Their product offerings include a variety of single-origin coffees and signature blends, often highlighting seasonal availability and specific processing methods, such as double fermentation or honey-processed lots.

Beyond its roasting and retail activities, the company remains deeply integrated into the Portland coffee scene. Matt Milletto has served as a past president of the Oregon Coffee Board and has contributed to various community-focused organizations. The company’s flagship location on SE Water Avenue serves as both a cafe and a hub for public coffee cuppings and educational discussions, reflecting the founders' background in coffee training.

Today, Water Avenue Coffee operates multiple locations in Portland, including its flagship cafe, a presence at the Clyde Hotel, and a location in the Wells Fargo Center. While the company has grown since its 2009 founding, it continues to operate as an independent entity, maintaining its focus on craft roasting and the professional development of its staff and wholesale partners. The company’s longevity in the highly competitive Portland market is often attributed to its blend of technical expertise, consistent quality, and a sustained commitment to its local community.