(Leaf & Bean sells coffee beans from around the world, loose-leaf teas, herbal wellness blends, and gifts & specialty products | Photo courtesy of Leaf & Bean)
There’s a new attraction in La Pine — a coffee roastery — that can be viewed through the front window of Leaf & Bean Tea and Coffee off U.S. 97. But, according to co-owner Darrell Goddard, this fledgling enterprise goes beyond selling small-batch hand-roasted coffee and herbal tea blends to an appreciative clientele — “It’s about community,” admitting that “the past few months have been frenzied” as he worked 18-20 hour days “putting together the various pieces, and getting the storefront and the roastery built up,” Goddard and his wife Fauna Romo — who are “together 100 percent in this adventure” — opened for business in mid-June.
And positive feedback immediately began coming their way. “Truly a great cup of coffee!” said one customer. “I haven’t drunk anything else since finding out about these guys. Super friendly and a great smell in the shop. Highly recommend.”
Explaining his goal of “turning a 20-year hobby into a business,” Goddard said that “I just love the science of coffee roasting, and took an 800-hour online course taught by masters from all over the world to learn the nuances of transforming raw, green coffee beans into the aromatic brown beans used for brewing. Among other considerations, “you have to be watchful so as not to burn the beans!” he warned.
Even as a hobby roaster, Goddard “created recipes and new flavors. Having a commercial storefront now is a bonus.”
In addition to selling seven year-round core coffees, Leaf & Bean offers a rotating “Seasonal Origin Series” of beans from around the world. Sources have included Ethiopia (where wild coffee plants were first discovered in the 9th century) and Papua New Guinea (where coffee is known for its fruitier flavor profile). Loose-leaf teas, herbal wellness blends, and gifts & specialty products from local vendors are also stocked.
“Grab-n-go begins at 5:30 a.m. — so people can swing by as they head for work or start their day,” Goddard said. Breakfast options include a rotating selection of fresh baked goods, as well as fresh bagels and loaves. Later in the day, lunch sandwiches and wraps are available.
In parlaying his hobby into a viable business, Goddard and his wife began by testing the waters at various local events such as the Bend Winterfest, where we got great feedback,” and then began the rigors of setting up shop. This culminated in Leaf & Bean’s recent grand opening, when Goddard “sat back and reflected on all the hard work” that the couple had expended.
“People have been very welcoming,” he said, “and are excited to have us here.” (“Such a cool addition to our town” exemplifies the comments posted on Facebook.)
“American coffee always gave me a nasty heartburn, so in striving to reduce its acidity and bitterness, Leaf & Bean was circuitously born,” he said, looking back. “I’m posting a sign to remind me of our journey: ‘Running on beans and dreams.’”
