The Daily Grind: Superior Coffee Roasting Co.

Superior Coffee Roasting Co. was formed both at the right time and the right place for the Eastern U.P.  Ron Kurnik, the President of the company saw an apparent void in this part of Michigan when it came to fresh roasted coffee when he moved there in 2010. Just two years later, he was implementing the “Field of Dreams” expression of “build it and they will come,” and within the first 6 months he knew that his business was going to grow and succeed in its mission to bring fresh, high quality, (aka Superior) coffee to an ever growing radius of customers.

Superior Coffee Roasting Company-11-ZF-8494-13066-1-001-011The coffee industry is one that, similar to micro brew beer industry, has had a steady growth in popularity, especially among young professionals and the newer generation of coffee drinkers. The appreciation of both the quality and variety of flavors and characteristics found in coffee is something that we’ve been very pleased to see happen here in the Eastern U.P. As a result, we’ve been growing as a company, hiring more and more people, and offering something that up until 5 years ago was not “in the neighborhood” for those who were living or traveling here wanting a reliably fresh and local cup of coffee.

Kurnik chose this location in part because of his dual nationality. BothScreen Shot 2017-11-01 at 10.43.30 AM American and Canadian by birth, being in an international market and environment such as this really opens two doors, and not just one. However, doing business in Michigan made the most sense from a pro-business environment, and from a growth standpoint. Even though a larger city such as Lansing or Detroit might have had some advantages, there’s no better work/living environment than here, and our shipping partners make the U.P. just as viable and affordable for distribution as anywhere.

In addition to our packaged ground or whole bean coffee that we retail in bulk, 12oz bags, and k-cups, we have been thrilled to have a prime downtown location for our Cafe (107 E. Portage) next to the famous Sault Locks. We get travelers from around the world visit us, especially in the summer months, who consistently comment on how pleased they were to find coffee that is as good or better than what they’ve had in the bigger markets like Seattle, Portland, or even in other countries around the world.

Roasting Shop : 2611 Ashmun St. Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783

Cafe : 107 E. Portage Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783

Ron Kurnik is the CEO of Superior Roasting Company. Contact him at [email protected]