Tom Hinman, San Franciscan Roaster Co.'s new Client Success Manager is a true coffee roasting enthusiast who literally learned the business from the ground up. 

The hum of conversation mixes with the soft clinking of cups, while the unmistakable scent of freshly brewed coffee permeates the air., the aroma of brewing beans tells a story. For years, that story was dominated by the bold, smoky allure of dark roasts. Coffee drinkers across North America embraced the deep, almost charred notes of these heavy roasts, their palates steered by the richness and the near-bitter intensity that came from a darkened bean. Yet, as with all things in food and drink, trends evolve, and 2024 has brought with it a quiet revolution—a return to the bright, delicate world of light roasts.

In today’s economic climate, securing good interest rates for commercial deals has become increasingly difficult. Business owners across various industries are facing challenges when it comes to financing large purchases, with interest rates often hovering at levels that can make long-term investments feel daunting. However, being committed to make it as easy as possible for you to invest in the best roaster on the market, we’re excited to announce that we’ve now secured favorable financing rates through a promising new partnership.

With specialty coffee roasting becoming more accessible than ever before, you may be curious about what goes into the process. Perhaps you own a small cafe and you’d like to offer your own roasts; maybe you’ve been dreaming of selling coffee at your local farmers’ market. No matter where you find yourself, the San Franciscan Roaster Company is here to help.

Coffee Project NY co-owners and San Franciscan Roaster clients Chi Sum Ngai and Kaleena Teoh recently announced the opening of their third location, a 3,750-square-foot Long Island City venue with a brand new SF-25 commercial coffee roaster, a coffee library, the only Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) Premier Training Campus in New York City, and a public café where their deconstructed lattes and other beverages will be served. Today, we're sitting down with Chi Sum Ngai to hear more about the journey behind this Training Campus and what's next for Coffee Project NY!