Bottoms Up: Higher Grounds Cardamom Latte
Higher Grounds Cardamom Latté
By Rick Coates
Northern Express
December 10th, 2007
Chris and Jody Treter have come a long way since they arrived in town six years ago with a couple hundred dollars in their pocket and big dreams. The Treters were in their mid-twenties then and armed with college degrees that could have taken them anywhere in the world, but they decided to buck the trend. While their generation has made a mass exodus from Michigan for greener economic pastures elsewhere, and most high school aged Northern Michiganders have an “I can’t wait to get the hell out of here” mindset, the Treters saw opportunity for young entrepreneurs here in Northern Michigan. They started Higher Grounds Trading Company in 2001 near Leland with a $3,500 loan from Jody’s grandmother. Now after growing their business that focuses on fair trade and organic coffee, they have moved from Leland to the former laundry facility at the former Traverse City State Hospital, renamed The Village at Grand Traverse Commons. They share the building with Left Foot Charley, the first urban winery in the Midwest.
The Treters have built their business on a different model. Sure they could get their beans cheaper and make larger profits but they don’t. When I first interviewed them years ago I was amazed at their vision and mindset and this statement has always stuck with me: “In the fair trade philosophy we are not compromising our profits we are sharing them. In order to make the world a better place you have to understand how each decision you make impacts the world around you.” The Treters have had a worldview from the inception of Higher Grounds. They travel often to visit the farmers who grow the coffee beans they sell and they go to great lengths to fundraise for these coffee growing communities. They also support numerous local charities. With the new location, they have opened a coffee bar. This relaxed setting is perfect for a midday coffee break, and I recently enjoyed their Cardamom Latté. The presentation was perfect with chocolate pairings and the quality of the roast was fantastic. I drink Higher Grounds Coffee most days (I also enjoy coffee from other local roasters) and I literally taste the goodness in each sip, not only in the quality of the coffee itself, but in the quality of the people who roast it.
You may visit Higher Grounds Monday – Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday’s they offer a free public cupping at 2 p.m. that includes a tour of their production facility. For additional details, go to http://highergroundstrading.com, or for directions call them at 231.922.9009.
By Rick Coates
Northern Express
December 10th, 2007
Chris and Jody Treter have come a long way since they arrived in town six years ago with a couple hundred dollars in their pocket and big dreams. The Treters were in their mid-twenties then and armed with college degrees that could have taken them anywhere in the world, but they decided to buck the trend. While their generation has made a mass exodus from Michigan for greener economic pastures elsewhere, and most high school aged Northern Michiganders have an “I can’t wait to get the hell out of here” mindset, the Treters saw opportunity for young entrepreneurs here in Northern Michigan. They started Higher Grounds Trading Company in 2001 near Leland with a $3,500 loan from Jody’s grandmother. Now after growing their business that focuses on fair trade and organic coffee, they have moved from Leland to the former laundry facility at the former Traverse City State Hospital, renamed The Village at Grand Traverse Commons. They share the building with Left Foot Charley, the first urban winery in the Midwest.
The Treters have built their business on a different model. Sure they could get their beans cheaper and make larger profits but they don’t. When I first interviewed them years ago I was amazed at their vision and mindset and this statement has always stuck with me: “In the fair trade philosophy we are not compromising our profits we are sharing them. In order to make the world a better place you have to understand how each decision you make impacts the world around you.” The Treters have had a worldview from the inception of Higher Grounds. They travel often to visit the farmers who grow the coffee beans they sell and they go to great lengths to fundraise for these coffee growing communities. They also support numerous local charities. With the new location, they have opened a coffee bar. This relaxed setting is perfect for a midday coffee break, and I recently enjoyed their Cardamom Latté. The presentation was perfect with chocolate pairings and the quality of the roast was fantastic. I drink Higher Grounds Coffee most days (I also enjoy coffee from other local roasters) and I literally taste the goodness in each sip, not only in the quality of the coffee itself, but in the quality of the people who roast it.
You may visit Higher Grounds Monday – Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday’s they offer a free public cupping at 2 p.m. that includes a tour of their production facility. For additional details, go to http://highergroundstrading.com, or for directions call them at 231.922.9009.
Many images on this site are courtesy of photojournalist Gary L. Howe.