WEEKLY DEAL: Chicagoland Coffee Tour

As owner, John Clark, drove design/marketing associate (...and daughter), Jamie Clark up to Chicago, he didn't skimp on the opportunity to see the competition in the Windy City.

First on the list of tour stops was Julius Meinl. In Vienna, this was the original Vienna coffee house and where John got his idea of what a Vienna Coffee Company should look like. Granted the Chicago version of the Vienna company is slightly more Americanized, but still has the Vienna classy style. (John and Sue were given the amazing opportunity to go to the real Julius Meinl Cafe in Vienna a couple years ago.)

Second on the tour was Intelligentsia. This coffee company is top class when it comes to their baristas. Last year several of their baristas ranked in the top 10 in regional, national, and international barista competitions while getting 1st place in both regional and national. In fact, the manager of the cafe we went to won 1st place at the Great Lakes regional competition. This cafe was crammed pack with people and interesting industrial artwork.

The final coffee stop was Metropolis. This small batch roaster/coffee house is very eclectic, and is more on the size of VCC. They roast for many local chicago bakeries and coffeehouses, but the coffee shop itself was PACKED, and very interesting artwork all over the walls.


All in all the coffee tour was a success, and John was able to see what is going on the Chicagoland coffee scene.


THIS WEEK'S COFFEE DEAL IS ABOUT COFFEESHOPS. IF YOU ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTION ON THE BLOG OR TELL YOUR ANSWER TO US AT THE ROASTERY YOU WILL RECIEVE A FREE 2oz OF OUR MONTHLY FLAVORED COFFEE SPECIAL "AMARETTO."

WHAT IS THE BEST COFFEEHOUSE YOU'VE BEEN TO AND WHY?

WEEKLY DEAL: Time of reflection


As we say goodbye to 2008, we would like to reflect on what has happened at Vienna Coffee Company this past year...

  • We activated Vienna Coffee's online storefront and are continually adding new items to our storefront (like Harney and Son's Fine Teas)
  • We were happy to add Katie Carroway to VCC family, and sad to see her leave to go to the University of Chattanooga for school.
  • John attends SCAA conference in Minneapolis and Roaster's Guild in Silver Lake where he met new friends and peers who are interested in coffee.
  • We are happy to add Erin to the VCC family as a packaging associate and roaster apprentice.
  • We evaluated our spacial needs at the roastery and decided to extend our lease for 2 years and elected to go vertical for storage needs.
  • We buy our new 35 kilo Roaster.
  • We add Directly and fairly traded La Armonía Hermosa and Fair Trade/Organic Café Femenino Peru/Mexican Coffee to our list of fine specialty coffees we offer.
  • We start an email/newsletter campaign. Click here if you would like to be added to our mailing list for, promotions, new, coffee facts, etc.
  • We add Jamie as Design and Marketing Associate, but she is leaving and will be working for VCC from Chicago.
FOR THE WEEKLY DEAL WE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR YOUR REFLECTIONS ON 2008 AND YOU CAN RECIEVE A FREE 2 oz BAG OF ANY COFFEE, IF YOU COME INTO THE ROASTERY OR LEAVE A MESSAGE ON THE BLOG.

WEEKLY DEAL: Worst of Funniest present



At our company Holiday party this year the question was asked...
"What's your most useless or funniest present you ever received?" There were some funny answers ranging from about 10 different toothbrushes, to nose hair clippers, to rice cookers for children. So, now we want to ask you the same question. Either leave a comment on the blog or come into the roastery and receive a free latte of your choice.

Also a reminder. We will only be open Monday - Wednesday this week. So please come then if you want some our delicious coffee or tea!