Bay Area Coffee Pioneer Michael McLaughlin, Stalwart of Dark Roasts, Dies at 84 | Eater SF

"Founded in 1983 and based in Emeryville, this family-run roastery grew from what Mike intended as a one-year experiment into a slow-growth, quality-first business that celebrated its 40th anniversary on July 1, 2023. Mike and his wife Barbara built loyal, long-term accounts—selling to many customers for 30 to 40 years—while their son Shaun now co-owns the company and Barbara still works there three days a week. Mike served as the public face of the company to restaurants and shops, known for his warmth and salesmanship and for championing dark roasts; he also tinkered with roast levels and temperatures to find the right profiles for beans such as Chiapas and Javanese." - Paolo Bicchieri