Hello. Long time no post, if you know what I mean. You know how it is, right? Life happens and certain things get put on the “Least Urgent, Least Important” pile. Well, we want to change that. We want to give you more regular and interesting posts (no more than once weekly) and we’re wondering what you would like to hear about. Here are some ideas we have:
What’s up in the shack?
That bag of Fairtrade Certified, organic, quality coffee you purchased from us was roasted in a 165 square foot out building on our rural property, a building we’ve lovingly named “The Roasting Shack”. When we purchased our property in 2008 we learned this building had a colourful history, having been used as a bunkie, a maple sugar shack, and a workshop. In the spring of 2009 we got to work renovating it so that it would work as a roasting facility.
Bertie was with us from the start
We plan on sharing more photos and stories about The Roasting Shack renovations, the growth that has happened since, and changes that are ongoing. Shane spends a good part of his week out in the Roasting Shack and he’s always up to something in there: Listening to music (very ecclectic taste) while he’s coming up with inventions to solve problems in the “production line” and, most important, experimenting with different roasts and blends to keep you happy and satisfied with your morning brew. Why not share some of his antics with you!
Coffee-related (and Tea-related) information and recipes.
Life is better with great coffee, and the most affordable way to have great coffee every day is to make it at home. We plan on sharing our favourite ways to make coffee and tea at home. We aren’t baristas and we don’t think you have to be a barista to make an amazing cuppa in the comfort of your own home. 
We thought we could throw in the odd recipe, too, like my go-to chocolate layer cake recipe that is deliciously moist and not-too-sweet with the addition of a strong and hot cup of Fairtrade Certified and organic SJICR coffee.
Random questions answered/ideas.
We get lots of random questions so we thought it would be a good idea to highlight our answers to some of the more popular q’s . These questions cover topics that are related to organic practices, fairtrade certification, where our coffee comes from, deliveries and other services (like special events) and anything in between, like giving back to the community.
Our “commute” to The Roasting Shack gets icy this time of year so
we laid down empty green coffee bags along the path. Problem solved.
Life Lately.
We work together. From home. And, we’re married. A lot of people wonder how we handle spending so much time together. Others tell us how lucky we are. And over the years we’ve learned to get a pretty good rhythm to our day. Note the “over the years” part, meaning it wasn’t always like that. Working with a spouse can be a challenge (in fact there are books written on the subject . . . we even read a couple before we started up!), and working from home can be a challenge, too. There are also lots of benefits, which we have learned to focus on. We may share some of our insight on these subjects here.
We live in an old farmhouse (main part was built in the 1880s) that we’ve slowly been renovating (we’re DIY-ers and frugal to boot) and have about 17 acres of mainly wooded property. We love gardening and cooking together, have a few laying hens, and lots of other hobbies and activities we enjoy together as a family or on our own. We may sometimes share fitting moments of our so-called simple life.
Now it’s your turn! Do you like the sound of our ideas? Do you have any suggestions? We appreciate your opinion very much and would love to hear from you. In fact, let us entice you with a draw for a prize. To win you must be a subscriber to our posts. Draw date will be Wednesday, March 8 at 5 pm. To enter the draw all you need to do is leave a comment/feedback/question/topic suggestion/idea below.
What will you win? The prize will consist of: An aeropress, a 454 g (one pound) bag of SJICR coffee, a pouch of SJICR loose leaf tea and a Camino chocolate bar. Good luck and THANKS!
Draw Prize: Aeropress, SJICR Coffee, loose leaf tea, chocolate bar
I love this coffee!! My favorite bean so far is Country Roads. My mother in law bought me three bags and I need to get more very soon!
New to the Soo and we loving having such a great local roastery. We first had your coffee at a local coffee shop in Dryden and love that we are so much closer now.
Hi Sarah –
Welcome to the area and thanks for drinking our coffee. You must have first had our coffee at Kano Reid!
Heather
Yes you are right Heather! Kano Reid was our local coffee shop in Dryden and when David first started carrying your coffee we eagerly bought a few bags and were not dissapointed. Thanks for the great product!
We drink your coffee every day, with fresh whole raw milk….then we smile at each other, with such a sense of satisfaction with life, the universe and everything ????
Hi Mona – Thanks for your regular patronage! A lovely ritual and outlook on life.
Best,
Heather
Hi! I think your coffee is phenomenal, first and foremost. It’s all we drink.
I would love to see you folks highlight the process for roasting and then highlight seasonal specials. Eg. I am in love with Maple Magic and would love to know how the idea came about and how it’s produced.
I would also love to see where St Joe Roasters are at, I know you folks do a ton of local events or shows and would like to be able to see where you are or specials going on.
Maybe a couple of posts for recipes and good pairings? Maybe entrepreneurial tips for small businesses?
Anyways, thanks for a good cuppa in the morning. We appreciate you.
We are so fortunate to have such a great local business supporting our community! I love the blog and the Tea too 😉
There is nothing that smells more delicious than a fresh bag of coffee <3 I purchased many bags this Christmas to tuck in with gifts and the smell coming from beneath our tree was incredible!!! I would love to see more pictures of your operation <3!!!
I’m so happy to have started drinking your great coffee and your teas make tea time extra delicious.
Thanks for what you do!
Can’t wait to win. As discussed, I don’t mind if you rig the draw in my favour…who is going to know??? Great coffee!
Sadly we moved away from the SSM area to Midland and have tried supporting our new local organic fair-trade coffee roasters, but they simply don’t measure up to your absolutely delicious Sumatra. It’s our favorite and we will be ordering online soon 🙂
Your coffee has made every morning that much brighter, every afternoon that much smoother. St. Joe’s Roasters has restored my faith in the local food system!
I love your coffee! There is nothing like fresh coffee beans 🙂 Thank you!
I love to have a local source of many things organic and Fair Trade. We get coffee, tea and sugar and I always forget about the chocolate, but want that too! I feel that once you have more space you should expand your product line even more! More fair trade/organic products that people need on a regular basis. And there should be more advertising of what you have so our communities can help farmers and artisans to live healthy lives around the world!!!
Awesome coffee! Have to get back to St. Joe’s! It’s been way too long!
Love, love your coffee…..we start our day with Winter Solstice, Spring Morning Breakfast Blend or Puddingstone. Haven’t tried the tea yet, but it’s on our list! We appreciate the integrity that goes hand in hand with the fair trade products you produce locally!
I’ve been phoning Heather and Shane and ordering my coffee and having it delivered to Manitoulin Island for quite a long time now. My husband and I adore their Peruvian coffee and we’ve raise the standard with our family and friends .
As I write this comment my husband’s in the process of making our morning pour overs.
We are spoilt and we like it, and we agree with the adage, life’s too short to drink bad coffee. I love dealing with Heather and Shane and ordering my coffee from them is a delight they are a great couple to deal with.
All the best Bernadette … gotta go my coffee is ready now
number one thing i miss from living in the soo was your coffee. i resort asking for packages to be mailed to me from friends now. my wish is thst one day it will be for sale down here in southern Ontario.
I love your coffee, Sumatra is my favourite. I have also bought it as gifts for friends and family out of town. The receipes are a great idea, would love a tour of the roasting shack. I have a small coffee tree at home with a few cherries on it I could send a pic. Keep up the awesome work☺
would love to win! we have just started having coffee again. very much like your “philosophy” – Fair Trade and the press in the contest doesn’t use anything that needs to go to a landfill – and of course the used grains go to our own garden!
Mmmmmmm…… mmmmmmm so good! ( deep sigh) my husband and I have been exclusive St.joe island coffee drinkers for years now. Nothing but the best to start your day! Thank you for such dedication to making a great coffee we so appreciate it. Looking forward to recipes and more stories.
Cheers
Meagan
So good to “see you” after so many years. I love the ease with which I could send gifts to my Ontario friends, though now they order their own. Argh! Anyways, I do need a new aeropress and promise that IF I win (hear me universe?), I will invite ShannonWM over to share. Hugs!
I’m forever boasting about your beautiful coffee! It’s a delicious way to start my morning and it feels good to support a small (very lovely) business like yours. I love the idea of you sharing recipes and letting us all see a little of the work behind roasting in what sounds like a lovely place.
Thanks you and keep up the good work cause without you guys my mornings would suck. ????
I love that I can support a local business while I am having my morning coffee !!
Just picked up a bag of the winter solstice for a host gift for a friend we are staying with in Brantford! a go-to for sharing with friends and family down south. Local, unique. I love the tea line too!
Enjoy reading your blog – love your coffee! Will look forward to more posts for sure – and all the better while drinking a cup of Winter Solstice ;} take care
Hi guys! You are both an inspiration to new entrepreneurs! Love your commitment to the community and I love to stop in to Shabby to pick up a cup of coffee in the afternoon. I’d love to read more about what you are up to around home 🙂 Talk soon!
I think all of the ideas highlighted above are great! I am always interested in stories, about you guys, the process, the fair trade farmers, the who, the what’s, and the whys.
Hi – ok my question is – do you make personalized coffee bags? If I wanted to give away small bags of coffee..could I select a picture I have taken myself to put on the little bags of coffee to hand out? Plus do you give tours or could someone take a tour and actually help out for the full experience? If I had a family gathering and we wanted to be part of the process – is there a way to do that?
I can’t wait to hear/see more about the roasting shack renovations! So exciting!
This looks so amazing and professional! I love the style and the language you use. It’s fun, interesting, accessible. The ideas of what you plan on including sound terrific and exactly what people would find interesting. Not only does it cover the business side of the house, but also allows people inside your personal world so they can identify with you as more than a business.
I most especially cannot wait to see all the fun personal stories and pictures!
Love your articles! Could you possibly do a write-up on the different brewing processes…what they highlight in the coffee etc.? We love your beans and your teas!!
I love the fact that you not only sell coffee, but also carry a number a great teas as well.
Thanks for the feedback, Beth. Good luck in the draw.
Heather,
How about each customer get a recommendation of which coffee to try next when reordering. I am sure you know which customers have which preferences better than they do themselves. You could be like an AI knowing where to try next for coffee heaven. That would add value for me.
Paul
Great idea. Thanks, Paul! I’ll respond to your email separately.
Great ideas Heather! Hearing what Shane gets up to out in the roasting shack could be a hoot. Would be interested to hear if you guys are still doing any collaborations with local breweries as well.
Hi Andrew – Thanks for your comments! Outspoken Brewery just brewed another batch of their Pottsworth Maple Breakfast Stout. They add cold-brewed dark maple SJICR coffee to that and we’ve branded the coffee with their logo on our bag, under the name “Pottsworth Maple Breakfast Brew”. You probably know about that already though, right? 😉
Actually I didn’t – will have to try it out!
We hold fundraisers at work by selling homemade muffins and St. Jos’ coffee. Everyone loves your coffee, particularly the dark roasts. Each time, I always send out an e-mail to let our coffee lovers where I purchase the coffee I serve and where to buy it. Supporting local businesses, especially those in Northern Ontario is very important. Besides, it’s always great to be able to chat with the people who run the business and do the work. Awesomesauce! The ideas you’ve outlined in your blog sound great and I would love to know more about the business and the folks who run it. Whatever made you decide to become coffee roasters?
Hi Glenna – Thanks so much for your support and comment. Small businesses are in a symbiotic relationship with their customers for sure. Good luck with the draw.
Congratulations, Glenna! You’ve won our draw. Can you respond to me at my regular email so I know you received this information? Here’s the address (only you’ll do @ for {at} and . for [dot]): heather[at]freshfaircoffee[dot]ca
In your email could you please let me know your delivery information? Please also let me know if it’s okay with you if I announce you as a winner, both on Facebook and in our next blog.
Thanks, and thanks again for entering our draw by taking the time to comment on our blog.
Love your coffee especially the Mexico blend which I gave to Corey Hart the singer once and sent me a thank you note saying “Cool blend” so even he knows great coffee! Maybe you can return to our Tourism Week event to showcase your great coffee! Once I get a confirmed date I’ll be in touch!
Hi Angela – Thanks for your comment! That’s hilarious about Corey Hart! How did you ever get the opportunity to give him a gift? That sounds like an interesting story. Keep us in the loop about your Tourism Week.
Maybe the story behind the labels
i e Pats piper blend
Love how you contribute to island culture
Like Algoma Trad camp
Hi Donna – Thanks for your comments. We love the culture AlgomaTrad brings to the area, too.
Love your Blog ideas. Really interested in the hidden aspects of running a coffee roasting business. Reviews of different methods for brewing coffee would interest me, too. The stories behind your labels and how you come up with blends would also be interesting. Books you’ve read about or featuring coffee.
Hi Alice – Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment and for your ideas. We appreciate your continued support!
Love the ideas for the post. Love new recipes that you can eat with a good cup of your coffee. Did wonder about how the cake was decorated. Is it a birthday cake with the time of birth?
Hi Mary –
Thank you for your comment and you were bang on with your guess! This cake was for our son’s 4th birthday. He loved clocks and it was his idea to have a clock cake. He was born at 8:10 a.m.
Winter solstice it the best coffee ever! I love reading about your story – don’t stop adding a personal touch to your product!
Hi Kira – Thanks for your comments. I love our Winter Solstice coffee, too. Good luck in the draw!
Love the ideas! I’d like to hear more about how you started sourcing your coffee beans when everything started.
Hi Danaé – Thanks for your comment, and good luck in the draw!
Great info and I’d like to know more about the story of your beans from their start to roast…
Hi Monique – Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. Good luck in the draw!
Love seeing your product around at local vendors; how about a ‘spot the Island Roasters’ photo campaign to share with everyone where we find you! Also, what do you do with all your empty burlap bags (besides making snow mats)? Would love to see some ideas for these…eg. Pillow cases/upholstery for deck or porch furniture, a stair runner (instead of on the snow!????), scarecrow outfits for Harvestfest, etc…
Hi Carole – Interesting ideas. I’d like to hear more about your “spot the Island Roasters” photo idea. Thanks for taking the time to comment and good luck in the draw!
What a great story! Your coffee is delicious & love supporting local businesses. Knowing the history of the business is even better. I look forward to reading the blog & following your venture!
Hi Janét – Thanks for your comments and support. Good luck in the draw.
Your chocolate cake with Island Roasters Coffee sounds yummy, but cheese cake with coffee for breakfast is also very yummy! I love the recipes and roasting shack ideas! I also loved learning about the artworks on your packaging. More of that too please! A bit about the background of the different roasts and blends and teas would also be very welcome…
Hi and thanks for your comments! I don’t think I’ve ever had cheese cake for breakfast, but if it were offered to me I wouldn’t turn it down. Anything sweet with a cup of strong black coffee is divine. Good luck in the draw.
Love the recipe ideas as well as the Roasting Shack info. Love your coffee and really love the labels. I look forward to the blog
Hi Kate – Thanks for your feedback and we wish you luck on the draw!
Love all your ideas. Having had a personal tour of the Shack, I think highlights of a day in the Shack with Shane would be of interest to everyone. Recipes for both coffee and cake would be welcomed by everyone as well.
Hi Nancy – I like that: “A Day in the Shack with Shane” has a ring to it! Thanks for your comments and ideas.
I absolutely love your Sumatra blend coffee!
Hi Debbie – Thanks for your comment and good luck in the draw. If you win, we’ll give you Sumatra for the coffee!
I think it would be great to have stories about the people and places that grow the coffee! Love your coffee.
Hi Anny – We like that idea too! There would be no delicious SJICR without the coffee farmers. Thanks and good luck!
Would love to hear about all those things! The shack reno’s and recipes are at the top of my favorites…love the maple majic!
Hi Sheri – Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment and feedback. Good luck in the draw!
Tips for storage….keeping it fresh and increasing the longevity of that infectious bag opening aroma
Hi Nat! Thanks for the idea and good luck in the draw.
Maple Magic is where it is at for me. It’s scent stops shoppers in grocery stores (as it did for me). It is a great first taste of the morning!
Hi Jacey – Thanks for your comment and good luck in the draw!
I’m enjoying reading your update with a cup of your Maple Magic coffee in hand, which is one of my favorites! I’ve paired it with a lemon blueberry muffin that I made this morning as I too am working from home for part of the day. I would love food/coffee pairings suggestions.. that chocolate cake would be amazing I’m sure, and I bet you would have many great pairing suggestions.
Love you guys and what you are doing! Also love how the “Cooking Mechanic” moniker still works after all these years.
Hi Shannon – Glad to hear from you! Now I’m craving lemon blueberry muffins! Thanks for the feedback and good luck in the draw.
Love the idea of sharing ideas on different methods to brew better coffee!
Hi Steve and Asa – Thanks for the comment and good luck in the draw!
Hope we can see your coffee for sale at the canteen in the Desbarats arena.
Hi JJ – I heard the canteen was back up and running at the arena this year. If the person running it now is interested in our coffee we would be happy to supply them. Thanks for your comment and good luck in the draw.
Hey guys! Great to see you both recently, and to read your ideas and reflections. Looking forward to reading more, and to connecting with you in person again soon. Sending warm wishes your way on this cold and blustery day.
Hi Miranda – It’s been nice to see you, too! Thanks for taking the time to connect and good luck in the draw.
Hi Miranda – It’s been nice to see you, too! Thanks for taking the time to connect and good luck in the draw.
Some posts about reviewing different types of presses each using SJIC!
Hi David – Thanks for your idea and good luck in the draw!
I love your coffee, and have it at Shabby Motley at least twice a week.
Hi Kath – Thanks for your comment and support, of us and Shabby Motley! Good luck in the draw.
Hi Kath – Thanks for your comment and support, of us and Shabby Motley! Good luck in the draw.
Love your coffee! And I love the idea of you posting some of your favourite recipes 🙂 who comes up with the ideas for the artwork on your packages? Looking forward to more posts from you.
Thanks, Courtney, for your comments and feedback. Good luck in the draw.
Set up a coffee tasting test at the Legion to see which ones people like the most.
Hi Donna – Thanks for your idea. Good luck in the draw!
Do you sell directly from the Shack, for those who sometimes wander the Island? Keep the coffee recipes coming and include coffee drink recipies if you have some.
Hi Roberta – We do sell directly from the Shack by appointment. Give us a call in advance or on the fly, to make sure we’re around. Thanks for your comment!
Oh Heather, how times have changed….That cake looks divine and, may I add, more scrumptious than some of our concoctions back in our roomie days. I wish I drank coffee because I always give bags of your coffee as gifts and everyone raves about it. I am always drawn to the artwork on the bags – another talent you were hiding back then ???? I always enjoy hearing your stories, I love new recipes, and a little marital and parenting advice can’t hurt either!
Hi Pam – Haha, yes, I’m sure we’re both better cooks/bakers now. Thanks for your comments and feedback!
All of your ideas sound great! I’d love to hear more about life on the island and where your beans come from.
Hi Kristen! Thanks for taking the time to subscribe and comment. Good luck in the draw.
Great update. Sandy and I are due to place another order!!
Blog ideas – I love the “Life Lately” update and the pictures are great so keep those coming. Maybe share the newest (or oldest) tunes Shane is listening to in the Shack? Always great to hear about new blends. History and your story is great too – why and how you got this started in 2008/2009 and the evolution of the business. Would be some good learnings for other entrepreneurs (and coffee lovers of course).
Hi Mike – Thanks for your comments and for your order (we got it yesterday). Good luck in the draw.
Dear Shane and Heather;
The fair trade Mexican coffee that you roast for me is the only reason I get out of bed in the morning. Darn you!
Hi Michael – Thanks for drinking our coffee. You wouldn’t want to stay in bed all day, would you? It’s good you have our brew to get you going. 😉
I’ve known you since conception! Was ecstatic then and so satisfied now; with the coffee, the artwork on the bags, the photos, the cute and sassy quips in your posts. Shane knew me well when he recommended the ‘special blend’. I still drink that every day! Your love of nature and attention to the environment sells me on whatever you do. I recommend you every time someone talks about good coffee and scold them if they say they haven’t tried SJIC. Shame!!
As for ideas for your blog?? Sure, that recipe for the cake is a good starter! And as you mentioned, the history of your ‘plantation’ is always interesting!
Hi Nila – We appreciate your ongoing support. Thanks for taking the time to comment! Good luck!