We had the good fortune of connecting with Andy Pankratz, Joy Pankratz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andy Pankratz, Joy Pankratz, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Andy started roasting coffee beans in college, sitting on his apartment floor, using just a popcorn popper. He met me (Joy) while I was managing a small coffee shop at a camp we were working at. As we fell in love, we dreamt together about having our own coffee shop space. We married and had children. Amidst toddler and baby chaos we decided it was “prime time” to reignite this passion for roasting coffee. Andy got a home roaster for Christmas that roasted four ounces at a time and started roasting in the evenings. He immediately began searching for commercial roasters.Within months, a financial gift came through that we put towards purchasing one! We can now roast several pounds at a time. It beats four ounces, which is equivalent to about one pot of coffee.

After four years, we roast and package coffee on a wholesale and personal sales capacity. We offer single origin roasts, a couple blends and a flavored blend during the six week holiday season called “Christmas Blend”. We desire to create spaces of refuge for others, and right now that looks like cultivating safety through sips of coffee. One day we hope to have a physical shop of our own!

 

What should our readers know about your business?
Refuge for us is about finding a safe space to be your authentic self, a place of peace and healing. We feel a passion for inviting people into who they were created to be.
Lake City is a beautiful place to experience this among the mountains, next to the river, and with good people. Our desire is that people can experience that with our coffee whether it’s just 5 minutes in the morning drinking your first cup or with a friend over good conversation or a three day hike over the San Juans.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

Joy’s parents, Phil and Doreen Jupp, were the reason they were able to begin Refuge Roasters because of a financial gift.

Jeanine Deakyne is our graphic designer and branding consultant. Our logo, brand and website are all her.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Joy’s parents, Phil and Doreen Jupp were the reason they were able to begin Refuge Roasters because of a financial gift. Michael Fleishman was our attorney, we literally could not have moved forward without him!! He was a God sent.
Jeanine Deakyne is our graphic designer and branding consultant. Our logo, brand and website is all her.
Matt Deakyne has been our data guy by helping us curate pricing structure and price points for shipping. We ship all over the country.

Website: refugeroasters.com

Instagram: refuge_roasters

Facebook: Refuge Roasters, Inc.

Other: www.refuge-builders.com Andy began his own general contracting business in June. He’s providing service to Lake City specializing in decks and new home builds.

Image Credits
pc: Joy Pankratz

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