Longtime customers keep Pikes Peak-area restaurants stocked with fresh-roasted coffee beans

Glenn Powell has lived within sight of Pikes Peak for most of his life. 

So, it’s fitting that Glenn’s approach to roasting coffee is to reach for the mountaintop.

Glenn and his wife Becky, co-owners of Barista Espresso & Specialty Coffee Roasting in Colorado Springs, only buy their coffee beans from high-elevation orchards.

“We only import what is known as number one screen, or 17/18 gage, coffee beans,” he said. “It is the top one percent of coffee grown near the top of the mountain.”

Buying beans from the right source is the first step for a coffee roaster who aims to deliver a high-quality product to his customers. Step two? Applying an artisan’s touch to the roasting process – knowledge the Powells and their employees have gained through many years of experience. 

Barista Espresso was originated in 1991. More than 32 years later, the Powells have a long list of loyal customers, some of whom have been buying their coffee for more than 25 years. Barista Espresso sells exclusively to independent restaurants and cafes.

 “Our most defining principle is to sell a high-end, fresh-roasted product at a fair price for our customers, and to take care of our co-workers, so they stay with us for a long time,” he said. The couple is proud of the fact that multiple employees have stayed with the company for more than 10 years.

Customers and Waypoint Bank enjoy meaningful relationships

Glenn and Becky are also long-term clients of Waypoint Bank – Colorado Springs, where they have done business for over 20 years. Glenn calls the banking relationship another key to keeping his customers satisfied.

“When we need help with anything financial, they have been there to support us,” he said of his Waypoint bankers. “Specifically, throughout the Pandemic. Waypoint Bank was a Godsend.”

Waypoint Bank – Colorado Springs Vice President Ken Brower shared, “One of the best parts of working at a family-owned community bank is our ability to develop meaningful relationships with our customers.” 

One example of how these relationships come to life is when the bank features customer products in its gift baskets. This year’s basket is built around Barista Espresso coffees. 

“With just a basic idea, Glenn and Becky were able to help us execute a consolidated theme for our baskets,” Brower explained.  “It is very rewarding to work with masters of their craft.”

When time permits, the Powells like to travel – often to some of the 11 different countries where they buy their coffee beans, including Costa Rica, Panama, Honduras, and Guatemala. “We love visiting the estates and single-origin farms in those areas when we can,” Glenn said.

Another source of free-time fun is jet skiing. 

“We have both raced on the IJSBA (International Jet Sports Boating Association) regional and national jet ski tours for the last 27 years,” he said. “We’ve made friends from all over the United States and the world.”

While jet ski racing is good for getting the heart pumping, the Powells are pleased to have a steady bank that helps them lower the pulse of running a small business.

“We love banking with Waypoint,” Glenn adds. “They are a hands-on bank, which cares for their customers and their employees, just like ourselves.”