Friedrichs Coffee Celebrates 35 Years with Community Open House and Coffee Events

DES MOINES, Iowa – Friedrichs Coffee is celebrating 35 years in business with a day of coffee, competition, education and community on Saturday, November 7. The public is invited to join the celebration during an open house from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by a full afternoon and evening of events celebrating the coffee industry.

Founded in October 1991 by Colleen and Gary, Friedrichs Coffee began after they spent time assisting a coffee farmer in Costa Rica during the annual harvest in February of that year. Inspired by the experience, the couple opened Friedrichs, named after his great-grandfather, and helped introduce a new coffee experience to the Des Moines metro. At the time, the Des Moines Register recognized Friedrichs as the first coffeehouse in the metro area.

What began as a local coffeehouse has grown into a multifaceted coffee business with a reach extending across the country. Today, Friedrichs supplies wholesale coffee and tea to coffeehouses and restaurants nationwide, operates its own retail locations, supports licensed stores, distributes packaged coffee to grocery stores, and provides office coffee services to businesses throughout the area.

The business has also remained a family affair. Colleen and Gary began their family in 1992, and all four of their children... Daniel, Malia, Sammy and Andrew are now involved in the company. Each worked in the family’s retail stores during high school before gaining additional industry experience through trade shows and national Coffeefest conventions, where they also served as speakers. Now grown, married and living in the Des Moines metro, the next generation is preparing to carry the family business forward through an ongoing business succession plan that will transition ownership to the children.

The November 7 celebration will feature several opportunities for coffee lovers, industry professionals and community members to take part:

• 35th Anniversary Open House | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Open to the public, the open house will give the community an opportunity to celebrate 35 years of Friedrichs Coffee.

• Cornhole Competition | Begins at 10 a.m. – Guests can enjoy some friendly competition during the anniversary festivities.

• Coffee Shop Classes | 1 – 5 p.m. – Coffee shop owners from across the region and state will gather for educational sessions covering topics related to operating and managing a coffee shop.

• Regional Latte Art Throwdown | 5 – 9 p.m. – Open to the public, the competition will bring together coffee professionals to showcase their latte art skills. The event will feature $3,000 in cash prizes, along with approximately $10,000 worth of espresso machines, grinders and other coffee-related products available to give away.

Whether visitors are longtime Friedrichs customers, coffee enthusiasts or simply curious about the story behind a local business, the anniversary celebration offers an opportunity to recognize 35 years of coffee, family and community.

For more information about Friedrichs Coffee and its 35th anniversary celebration, visit www.friedrichscoffee.com or follow Friedrichs Coffee on social media.