Handsome Coffee Roasters

Acquired

Overview

Handsome Coffee Roasters was a specialty coffee roaster and café operator founded in 2012 in downtown Los Angeles. The company was known for its purist approach to coffee, emphasizing single-origin beans and refusing to serve coffee with sugar, cream, or additives. The brand gained recognition in the specialty coffee community for its founders' expertise and commitment to coffee quality, positioning itself as a premium, no-compromise coffee destination.

History

Handsome Coffee Roasters was founded in February 2012 by three Intelligentsia Coffee alumni: Michael Phillips (2010 World Barista Champion), Chris Owens, and Tyler Wells. The company opened its flagship location at 582 Mateo Street in downtown Los Angeles's Arts District. In April 2014, Blue Bottle Coffee acquired Handsome Coffee Roasters along with the Tonx brand. The Handsome Coffee brand was completely phased out by late summer 2014, with the Los Angeles café converted to Blue Bottle Coffee's first LA location.

Product Lines

Product Line	Positioning	Price Range
Single-Origin Espresso	Premium specialty espresso from single origins	$5 - $8
Filter Coffee	Carefully sourced and prepared pour-over coffee	$4 - $6
Specialty Roasted Beans	Whole bean coffee for home brewing	$15 - $25 per pound

Manufacturing

Handsome roasted coffee in-house at their Los Angeles location, focusing on light to medium roasts that highlighted the origin characteristics of their beans. The company sourced directly from coffee origins and maintained strict quality control over the roasting process.

Notable Products

Nicaraguan Single-Origin - Sweet-profile coffee from Nicaragua that exemplified the brand's focus on origin-driven flavor
Handsome Espresso Blend - House espresso blend served without milk or additives, reflecting the brand's purist philosophy
Filter Coffee Service - Carefully prepared pour-over coffee emphasizing brewing technique and bean quality

Reputation

Handsome Coffee Roasters earned respect in the specialty coffee industry for its founders' credentials and uncompromising approach to coffee quality. The brand was perceived as serious and knowledgeable, though some customers found the no-additives stance restrictive. Industry professionals recognized the company's commitment to coffee origins and proper preparation. The acquisition by Blue Bottle Coffee validated the brand's quality positioning within the specialty coffee market.

Sources (8)