In 2017, Daily Coffee News reported the opening of over 100 coffee shops in the United States alone.
Many stories tell of the determination of independent owners as they pored through mountains of municipal code, of unforeseen flaws in structures and building systems, and of many tough people issues.
From being covered in drywall dust to standing behind a freshly powder-coated coffee machine, these people bring unique expressions—reflections of the company, the brand, and often themselves. The ideal hope is that these expressions resonate with customers to provide the financial means to survive in an increasingly competitive specialty retail landscape. If all goes exceptionally well, the truly crazy ones will decide to do it all again, sometimes five, six, seven times (perhaps until JAB comes knocking).
After sifting through, so to speak, all of this year’s openings, we’ve divided our “biggest” list into three regions: East Coast, West Coast, and Off the Coast. We should also offer a few caveats:
- Arbitrarily assigning regions in this extensive country is an imperfect science that will certainly offend the geopiety of many readers. We apologize for that. In addition, we have also covered numerous push-shop openings outside the U.S. that are not listed here, and we will continue to do so.
- We’re calling these the “biggest openings” of 2017, but we’re sure we missed a few for various reasons—to borrow the recent coffee term “force majeure.” If you know of an opening that you’re particularly excited about this year, let us know! Or better yet, let us know what’s in store for you in 2018.
Disclaimers complete, here are some of the most invigorating store openings of 2017, US West Coast edition. We hope to see you there!
The fresh Contraband Coffee store. Photo by Garry Belinsky.
Photo by Daily Coffee News/Nick Brown
The Prospect Coffee team in front of the roastery. Photo courtesy of Prospect Coffee Roasters.
Arbor Lodge Bar with La Marzocco FB80. Photo: Benjamin D’Emden
Photo courtesy of Caffe Luxxe.
Photo courtesy of OB Beans Coffee Roasters.
Photo courtesy of Sightglass Coffee.
Photo courtesy of Narrative Coffee.
Photo courtesy of Coava Coffee.
Photo by Wanderborn, courtesy of Handlebar Coffee Roasters.
Photos courtesy of Junior’s Roasted Coffee/Guilder.
Photo courtesy of Nossa Familia Coffee. Photo by Phoebe Low.
Exterior of the redesigned downtown Portland location. Photo by Carly Diaz, courtesy of Stumptown Coffee Roasters.
Daily Coffee News Staff
