Timeline of Specialty Coffee on the West Coast.
A brief history of Seattle’s Best Coffee (SBC) and Specialty Coffee in the Northwest
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2003
The Vashon Island Coffee Roasterie
Under Jim Stewart’s mentorship, The Vashon Island Coffee Roasterie (TVICR) was founded in 2003 as an independently owned coffee cafe and specialty coffee roaster.
1988
Seattle’s Best Coffee
After winning a coffee competition held by the region’s top chefs, Stewart Brothers Coffee changed its name to Seattle’s Best Coffee (SBC).
1982
Stewart Brothers Coffee
Jim Stewart changed his company’s name from The Wet Whisker to Stewart Brothers Coffee.
1972
Allan Brothers Coffee
Allan Bros Coffee formed in 1972, shedding the Printing and Advertising business. Allan now knew his calling, and opened a coffee stand in Ashland. Another
1971
Starbucks Opens
Gerald Baldwin, Zev Siegel and Gordon Bowker founded Starbucks Coffee Company in 1971, using the training and mentorship they received from Alfred Peet.
1969
The Wet Whisker
Jim Stewart, inspired by Herb Hyman, began roasting in 1969 and opened his company The Wet Whisker in Coupeville, WA.
1968
The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf
Herbert Hyman opened his first gourmet Coffee Bean store in 1968 in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Brentwood.
1966
Peet’s Coffee and Tea
Peet’s Coffee is a San Francisco Bay Area based specialty coffee roaster and retailer. Founded in 1966 by Alfred Peet in Berkeley, California.