Business Details
23 Years
experience
Ethically Sourced Specialty Coffee Roasters
Hemisphere Coffee Roasters was founded 22 years ago with a mission to transform coffee-growing communities through ethical business practices. Our founders, Paul and Grace Kurtz, established direct-trade relationships to ensure farmers receive fair compensation while delivering premium coffee to customers. Paul Kurtz, a certified Q Grader, personally visits coffee farms across Ethiopia, Nicaragua, and Thailand to build partnerships that prioritize quality and community development. Over two decades, our efforts have funded educational programs, paid off generational debts, and created sustainable livelihoods for thousands of families. We specialize in small-batch roasting, offering single-origin beans, flavored coffees, and bourbon barrel-aged varieties that highlight unique terroirs.Our retail location in Mechanicsburg, Ohio, serves as both a production facility and community hub for coffee enthusiasts. Through innovative programs like our coffee fundraiser initiative, we empower schools and organizations to generate revenue while supporting global coffee communities. Our documentary series and event calendar foster transparency, showcasing the human stories behind every cup. From cold brew blends to craft chocolate, every product reflects our commitment to excellence and social impact. As a multi-generational business, we continue evolving our practices to meet modern sustainability standards while honoring traditional coffee-growing methods.
Services
Coffee Roasting
Direct-Trade Sourcing
Wholesale Distribution
Coffee Fundraisers
Brewing Education
Community Development
Event Hosting
Documentary Production
Subscription Service
Gift Sets
Details
- Year established: 2003
Highlights and features
- We maintain 22 years of direct-trade relationships with coffee farmers
- Our certified Q Grader ensures exceptional coffee quality standards
- Every purchase supports sustainable community development projects
- We offer unique bourbon barrel-aged coffee and craft chocolate pairings
- Our cold brew blend works perfectly across multiple brewing methods
What people say
Exceptional flavor profiles
Ethical sourcing matters
Great cold brew options
Supports coffee communities
Unique barrel-aged coffee
Services
Coffee Roasting
Our small-batch roasting process enhances each bean's unique flavor profile through precise temperature control and timing. We offer light, medium, and dark roast options for single-origin beans, blends, and specialty coffees. Every roast maintains traceability back to the specific farm and growing conditions.
Direct-Trade Sourcing
We establish direct relationships with coffee farmers across three continents, eliminating middlemen to ensure fair compensation. Our team personally visits farms to verify growing practices and community impact metrics. This approach guarantees quality while supporting sustainable development initiatives.
Wholesale Distribution
We provide 5-pound bulk coffee bags and institutional quantities to cafes, restaurants, and retailers. Our wholesale program includes branded merchandising materials and marketing support. Partners gain access to exclusive micro-lot offerings and seasonal specialty blends.
Coffee Fundraisers
Our fundraiser program offers organizations a 40% profit margin on coffee sales while supporting coffee-growing communities. Participants receive marketing materials, online ordering platforms, and logistical support. Every purchase funds educational programs and infrastructure development in farming regions.
Brewing Education
We offer brewing demonstrations and coffee cupping sessions at our roastery and through virtual platforms. Educational content covers brewing methods, roast profiles, and flavor chemistry. Our resources help customers maximize their home brewing experience with our specialty coffee products.
People
Paul Kurtz
Founder & Roaster
Certified Q Grader with 22 years of coffee sourcing experience. Established direct-trade relationships across three continents. Leads quality control and community development initiatives while maintaining hands-on involvement in the roasting process.
Grace Kurtz
Co-Founder
Business strategist instrumental in developing the company's community-focused model. Oversees operational logistics and sustainability initiatives. Maintains relationships with global partners and coordinates educational programming for customers.
Diego Chavarria
Nicaraguan Partner Farmer
Third-generation coffee producer from Nicaragua. Collaborates on quality control and sustainable farming practices. Featured in the company's documentary series highlighting the human stories behind ethically sourced coffee beans.
Questions
What makes your coffee 'direct-trade'?
We personally visit farms to establish relationships, ensuring fair prices and quality control without middlemen involvement.
How does my purchase make an impact?
Direct-trade partnerships fund community projects like schools and infrastructure in coffee-growing regions.
What brewing methods work best with your beans?
Our beans excel in pour-over, French press, and espresso machines. Check specific roast recommendations for optimal results.
Do you offer coffee subscriptions?
Yes, our subscription service delivers fresh roasted coffee monthly with 5% savings on every order.
Are your coffee bags recyclable?
We use eco-friendly packaging materials and encourage customers to reuse or properly recycle our coffee bags.
Can I visit your roastery?
Our Mechanicsburg facility is open Thursday-Friday 10am-5pm and Saturday 9am-2pm for retail purchases.
Videos
Reviews (7)
Sierra Trout
Jan 19, 2022
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I have not had the pleasure of visiting their store in Mechanicsburg, but I have purchases their coffee beans from other local vendors and I will never be able to go back to box store brand coffee. It is seriously the best stuff! I love their Christmas blend! Give them a try.
Dan Donnell
Jan 12, 2022
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My wife and I visited Jan 15 2022. A beautiful day for a drive from Hilliard before the snow starts flying soon. What a great place this is! The two baristas that were there to help we're fantastic, so knowledgeable (I am a novice coffee drinker). I love the House Blend (Burg Blend), we drink it at church each Sunday. My only regret is my cheep kicked in at checkout and I didn't leave a big tip! I promise I'll hit you up our next visit and we will return!
Jacob Jeshire
Dec 31, 2021
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Seems like a nice place only concern was the poor girl running around by herself? Kind of thought that there would have been more help on a busier day. Great coffee and great service just a tad odd I guess.
Suzi Corwin
Sep 21, 2021
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Had a tour of the coffee roasting area. Very Interesting and aromatic. Have alot of unique flavors. My favorite is Blueberry Cobbler
Joe Nungesser
Mar 30, 2021
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"WORD OF MOUTH"! This is how we found Hemisphere, from friends telling us about it. We drove 52 miles just to experience their roasts. We came out of there as friends!! Great coffees made by good people, and each sale goes to a cause.
Bill Montgomery
Mar 29, 2021
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Paul and Grace and their team are gracious hosts in this quaint coffee shop! Ask for a tour and see the roasting in action. Buy coffee by the bean or get a latte or pour over. Great seating inside and out. You will not be disappointed!
Justin Rogers-Cooper
Sep 09, 2019
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Super great place to get a cup of coffee, hot or cold brewed, and an excellent place to pick up a bag of locally sourced beans. Super helpful and friendly owners/managers, on a nice bit of property. Indoor and outdoor seating. Nice shirts and books and other coffee stuff. Make a trip here whenever were in the area.
