Napier locals, Empire Coffee Roasters, are the awesome crew supplying the coffee goods to each of you this month!  

We think they have a cool story: like always, it started with a dream. Ethan, at 16 studied at the local tech school exploring a range of different industries and skills. It wasn't until he stepped into a the up and coming coffee roastery in the area that his dream and calling was realised - he left with a new job in that very roastery so he could learn the trade. Obviously he fell in love with coffee and has been working in the scene ever since and for over 10 years now!

In 2016 Empire Coffee Roasters was founded in a small space inside a large furniture store. Not long after, they signed a lease to their current site, boasting one of the largest cafe spaces in Hawkes Bay - they moved their roasting operation onsite and set up the cafe.

Empire subscribes to two key principles. The first is that coffee is fluid and ever changing. The vast volume of knowledge now at our fingertips continues to grow, and it is important that we evolve as a business with this better understanding. Whether it be new brew methods, advancing technology, or growing access in NZ to a wide range of origins, Empire prides itself on being on the pulse with absorbing any new information.

Secondly, as a business, we believe it is our responsibility to be as environmentally friendly as we can. This ranges from waste levels, to packaging used, to freight companies chosen. It isn’t for us about being able to put the “green spin” on our marketing, but an actual obligation to be able to perform.