A Year of Challenges and Opportunities
In the bustling world of specialty coffee, one Colorado Springs roaster stands out with its unique blend of passion, mission, and community focus. Mission Coffee Roasters, led by the experienced Brett Bixler, is navigating the tumultuous waters of 2025 with optimism and determination.
As we sit down with Brett, he paints a picture of an industry facing unprecedented challenges. "We're facing a 60-year high-price raw material market condition," Bixler explains. Green coffee reached its highest point in about 60 years this past year, 2024."
Despite these hurdles, Mission Coffee Roasters has seen remarkable growth. "Sales for us are up double digits, even with the price increases," Bixler notes. This success comes on the heels of two necessary price hikes – one in July 2024 and another in January 2025.
A Journey Rooted in Passion
Brett's coffee journey began in 1991 when he worked for a family with deep roots in the industry. "I got my education in coffee from that family, from seed to cup," he reminisces. This experience instilled in him a philosophy that intertwines coffee with community—a principle that continues to guide Mission Coffee Roasters today.
The family Bixler worked for had a unique perspective on the coffee business. "It was never about money for them," he recalls. It was more about creating a sense of community and serving some of the best-tasting, best-quality coffee they could provide."
They were very passionate about educating anyone who worked with them on how coffee is grown, harvested, and processed, ways to think about coffee houses as centers of community, and a whole philosophy about the sense of community and coffee and how they're intertwined.
This chance encounter led to formal Italian barista training, igniting a passion that would shape his career. The Italian rep didn't just drop off the espresso; he took the time to educate Ryan and his friend on the nuances of espresso preparation, pulling shots, steaming milk, and understanding the delicate balance of flavors that make a perfect cappuccino or latte. This wasn't just a job for Ryan; it was an education, a masterclass in the art of coffee.
"It was never about money for them," he recalls. It was more about creating a sense of community and serving some of the best-tasting, best-quality coffee they could provide."
Get the full pour…
In a time of global uncertainty, their story serves as a beacon of hope and a testament to the power of purpose-driven business. Find Brett’s story in the inaugural issue of Local Coffee Talk Magazine—subscribe today to get your copy.
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