Maker We Love: Commonplace Coffee

Maker We Love: Commonplace Coffee

You can almost smell this maker when you think of them. We love carrying Commonplace Coffee and think you'll love learning more about Dave!

Maker:

 Dave Smallhoover, Roasting Operations Manager

Neighborhood:

 Mount Washington and my grandma is my neighbor!

Tell us about your brand and why it’s the best

Commonplace Coffee has been part of the Western Pennsylvania coffee community since 2003 when owner TJ Fairchild opened our flagship location in Indiana, PA. Commonplace now operates five shops throughout the City of Pittsburgh. We love the neighborhoods and communities in and around Pittsburgh! Striving to foster and build community through coffee with craft and care, we are incredibly lucky to be a gathering space for many makers and artists of Pittsburgh, who enrich our communities. Roasting coffee daily with new offerings weekly, we hope to continue offering fresh and seasonal coffees in Pittsburgh for years to come.

What is your background and the story behind why you started Commonplace Coffee?

 I was born and raised in Pittsburgh and consider Mt. Washington home! Growing up, riding the inclines and using the penny crank machines were almost a daily occurrence when my great-grandma would watch my brother and I. Speaking of my brother, I didn't drink coffee until he offered me a job at his coffee roaster back in 2014. I was giving up alcohol and the world of coffee provided the perfect outlet to help with the transition. Coffee offers an endless pursuit of discovery in brewing, roasting, espresso, sourcing, etc. It has also played a major role in economic, social, and cultural aspects of our society for generations. To me, I feel like I will learn something every day in the coffee world and sharing that knowledge with our coffee community is what keeps me motivated!

 

What one product do we need to know about and why?

Blend! We partnered with The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy to create a collaborative coffee blend series celebrating our city parks. Each blend in the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Series will highlight one of the city’s five regional parks — Frick Park, Schenley Park, Highland Park, Riverview Park, and Emerald View Park. Commonplace will donate 25% of profits from sales of these custom parks blends directly to the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy


In three words, why do you love Pittsburgh?

Neighborhoods, Family, Badamo's

How can people find out more about Commonplace Coffee?

www.commonplacecoffee.com ; Instagram and Facebook @commonplacecoffee

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