Coffee News, Part I: Magnolia

A question on my Q&A online led me to a conversation with Jay Gestwicki, owner of the small-batch coffee roastery Magnolia Coffee. Gestwicki previously worked for both Caribou and Dilworth before opening his own local roaster.

Gestwicki focuses on socially conscious coffees and also works with nonprofits. You've had his coffee if you had a cup of joe at Amelie's, Terrace Cafes and Julia's at Habitat ReStore on Wendover. He also has it the Common Market on Plaza-Midwood, with the SouthEnd Common Market coming soon.

Which led to the question posted last week: Where can you buy the stuff? All of the above, according to Gestwicki. Wherever his coffee is served, it also should be sold. It's available ground and whole-bean, in sizes ranging from 1/2 pound, 12 ounces and 1 pound. Prices generally range from $10 to $11.

Want more details? There is a website, www.magnoliacoffeeco.com, that links through to Julia's Cafe (although it's never bad to have a reason to remember Julia's).