our story
rooted in kansas city, brewed with intention
how it started
KC Roast Co. began in 2018 in a 400-square-foot garage in the Crossroads district. Armed with a secondhand Probat roaster and an obsession with the perfect cup, our founders—Maria and James—started roasting for friends, then farmers markets, then the whole city.
What started as a side project fueled by late nights and early mornings became Kansas City's go-to roaster. Today, we roast over 2,000 pounds of coffee weekly from our flagship roastery on Main Street.
what we believe
Great coffee starts at the source. We work directly with farmers in Ethiopia, Colombia, Guatemala, and beyond—paying premium prices that support sustainable farming and fair wages.
Every bag we sell can be traced back to the farm where it was grown. We believe transparency builds trust, and trust builds community.
Our mission is simple: roast exceptional coffee, treat people right, and leave things better than we found them.
our values
the principles that guide everything we do
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craft over convenience
We roast in small batches, by hand, every single day. There are no shortcuts to great coffee—just care, attention, and a lot of cupping.
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community first
Our café is more than a coffee shop—it's a gathering place. We host local artists, support neighborhood causes, and believe in the power of bringing people together.
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sustainable always
From compostable packaging to carbon-offset shipping, we're committed to minimizing our footprint. Good coffee shouldn't cost the earth.
meet the team
the people behind the beans
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maria santos
co-founder & head roaster
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james mitchell
co-founder & operations
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sarah kim
café manager
visit the roastery
Want to see where the magic happens? Our Main Street location features a full view of our roasting operation. Watch beans transform from green to golden while you sip your morning brew.
We offer free roastery tours every Saturday at 10am. No reservation needed—just show up curious.
plan your visit