An award-winning roastery and flagship cafe in downtown Olympia, renowned for its Fair For All sourcing standards and scientific roasting methods.
Olympia Coffee Roasting Company, founded in 2005 and acquired in 2010 by long-time employees Oliver Stormshak and Sam Schroeder, operates its flagship roastery and cafe at the bustling downtown corner of Fourth Avenue East and Cherry Street. The company has evolved from a small-batch wholesale operation into a widely recognized pioneer of ethical sourcing. Dissatisfied with standard direct trade models, Stormshak and Schroeder established their own "Fair For All" standards, a rigorous certification program ensuring that fair prices, living wages, and safe working conditions extend not just to farm owners, but to the field laborers and coffee pickers themselves. This meticulous care at the origin is matched by their proprietary "Caramelization Roast" technique. Developed by Stormshak using his background in food science, this method utilizes precise temperature profiles to elongate proteins and maximize the solubility of natural sugars, resulting in exceptionally sweet, origin-forward coffees.
The flagship headquarters at 600 4th Avenue East showcases a thoughtful 6,000-square-foot design that bridges mid-century modern aesthetics with Pacific Northwest warmth. Conceptualized by designer Roussa Cassel and constructed by Bicycle Homebuilding Company, the interior is characterized by clean lines, white tiling, and extensive woodwork. The custom cabinetry and furniture, crafted by Michael Hedges, utilize sustainable maple salvaged from naturally fallen regional trees by Windfall Lumber. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls partition the cafe from the active production space, allowing guests to watch the roasting process unfold. At the heart of the glass-enclosed roastery sits a beautifully refurbished, vintage 23-kilo Gothot roaster from Germany, alongside their reliable Diedrich IR-12. Visitors can also peer into the green coffee storage area and the dedicated quality control and cupping lab, where the roasting team continuously tests and grades incoming micro-lots.
The cafe menu highlights the roastery's technical precision, anchored by their signature Sweetheart Espresso and the robust Big Truck espresso blend. Drinks are prepared on a customized La Marzocco Strada EE espresso machine or brewed meticulously via a Poursteady automated pour-over system. Seasonal specialty lattes, nitro cold brew on tap, and decadent nitro coffee floats are paired with fresh pastries, including kouign-amann and savory croissants sourced from their own Moonrise Bakery. For those looking to deepen their coffee education, the flagship hosts public cuppings in its dedicated lab, offering a sensory journey through their latest direct-import coffees. It remains a cornerstone of downtown Olympia, where the daily hum of the Gothot roaster and the aroma of caramelizing sugars provide a sensory backdrop to a highly disciplined craft.
Attend a public cupping session in their glass-walled lab, or try a nitro coffee float made with their signature Sweetheart Espresso.
Coffee & Craft — Roadside fuel stops curated by Basecamp West. The best coffee shops, craft breweries, diners, and eateries worth the detour on your next Western road trip.