A Shed, A Dream, and Humble Beginnings
We are very proud of our humble beginnings here at Arctos Coffee. One person, an old 8 X 10 drafty back yard garden shed, a small propane drum roaster and a very strong desire to roast amazing coffee. That was the dream! The roasting facility (if it can really be called that) was sweltering in the summer and freezing in the winters here in the Northwest. There were a small number of days when the “Roasting Shed” as we so creatively named it, was bearable and roasting coffee was actually a pleasurable endeavor.
After many, many rolls of weather stripping, duct tape and whatever else could be found to stuff in the cracks to keep the weather out, I realized how deeply passionate I was about every aspect of the coffee roasting process. The next step became very clear…a commercial space was needed in order to start sharing the love with more of our local community!
Our Philosophy
By roasting the same coffees consistently in small batches, we’re able to:
- Maintain precise flavor profiles
- Ensure every bag tastes the way it’s supposed to
- Deliver coffee you can rely on, cup after cup
This is how we create consistency without sacrificing character.
Dialing It In
That obsession pushed us forward — out of the shed and into a commercial roasting space with room to grow, dial things in, and share our coffee with a much bigger community. The setting changed, but the mindset didn’t.
We still roast with intention.
We still sweat the details.
And we still believe coffee should be worth getting excited about.
Precision-Roasted. Flavor-First.
We built our espresso blends specifically for cafés, drive-thru stands, and our own home brewers, who demand balance, sweetness, and body. These coffees are crafted to pull smooth, reliable shots that hold up in milk or shine on their own.
Each coffee is carefully sourced and developed using coffees from around the world to achieve:
Aroma
Sweetness
Balanced acidity
A silky, full mouthfeel
Behind The Scenes
What many don't know is that Arctos was once an automotive shop full of oil drums and the leftovers of years of mechanical menace. The old saying "blood, sweat and tears" could not be more true when it came to the processes of turning it into a clean and cozy coffee shop.
Today, Arctos Coffee is not only a roasting company but also a vibrant coffee shop nestled in the heart of the Logan Neighborhood and Gonzaga University. Students, locals, neighbors and all walks of life visit us daily to enjoy a cup of coffee, conversations, study or to just grab a bag of their favorite coffee for brewing at home.
