By Kate Bartlett
RocketCup Coffee Company has been fostering their mission to revitalize communities since 2022. In addition to brewing and roasting high-quality coffee, RocketCup INTRO With headquarters in the village of Cattaraugus and their second café location in Olean, RocketCup is excited to launch their Roastery and speakeasy, just steps away from their original location.
(now head of marketing and sales) has grown into a far-reaching business with 25+ employees with an impressive impact< on the community. “The future is bright,” says Tom. “We are excited to roll out our next project, working with Revolution Rail Co. from the Adirondacks to bring rail bikes to Cattaraugus County.”
Co-owner and co-founder Tom Cullen believes strongly in the power of community. “We founded RocketCup with the mission of revitalization, and we’re proud that this vision has taken roots,” says Tom. “The community has warmly embraced our mission, and we’re honored to watch fellow small businesses thrive around us.”
One year ago, RocketCup launched their first café in the village of Cattaraugus, located at 18 N Main St. Earlier this year on Memorial Day weekend, they unveiled their second café in Olean on the corner of State and Union. Most recently, on October 4, RocketCup opened doors to their one-of-a-kind roastery, speakeasy, and beer garden, right below their original location in Cattaraugus.
All of their coffee is roasted on-site at the roastery, and guests are invited to be a part of the factory experience. The roastery tour is a truly immersive experience in which guests not only take part in roasting coffee beans, but have the opportunity to blend their own ‘brand’ of coffee. “It’s a one-of-a-kind experience; there’s really nothing like it in the area,” says Tom. After watching the beans roast and rotate in an industrial drum, the beans are poured out, releasing an intoxicating aroma. Guests then taste all three premium coffees from Brazil, Columbia, and Honduras, and have the opportunity to create their own blend to take home.
Their new Roastery is located in a historic building, directly attached to a Speakeasy. “This site is true to our mission of revitalization and restoration in the community,” says Tom. Once a printing press, the site dates back to the 1800’s, but has been historically refurbished with stone walls, timber beams along the ceiling and an iconic copper bar. The Speakeasy menu includes craft beer and cocktails, along with an additional specialty coffee focused cocktail menu. “Our food menu is a bit more elaborate than our cafes,” remarks Tom. “While we still boast (arguably) the best breakfast sandwich around, we also have other farm to table seasonal items and gourmet flatbreads.”
RocketCup firmly believes in roasting the highest quality coffee beans, harvesting from some of the best farms in the world. Currently, the beans are sourced from Brazil, Columbia, and Honduras, using a highly selective process. “We focus on specialty coffee,” says Tom. “We use only the highest-grade coffee, and I believe this truly sets us apart.” All RocketCup coffee is above 80% grade, while most coffee shops average around 30%. While this specialty coffee is more time and labor intensive, Tom believes it is well worth the extra effort. “Our coffee offers a more elevated experience, almost like the craft beer movement of coffee.”
In its early years/months, RocketCup fueled the community by gifting $1,000 grants to community projects. In recent months, the business began to switch focus, noticing the opportunity to have a greater impact by pulling people and businesses into the café. “We support our fellow businesses wholeheartedly, and seek opportunities to help them thrive. Our bagels and breads are made locally at Stoll Family Farm, and we source most of our ingredients from local farms. We provide space for our community to gather, over coffee, and cultivate our common mission of revitalization.”
What started as a small online business with only one employee, MacKenzie Bush (now head of marketing and sales) has grown into a far-reaching business with 25+ employees with an impressive impact on the community. “The future is bright,” says Tom. “We are excited to roll out our next project, working with Revolution Rail Co. from the Adirondacks to bring rail bikes to Cattaraugus County.”
For more information visit www.rocketcupcoffee.com and follow on social media. Visit the Olean café at 116 W State Street, or Cattaraugus at 18 North Main Street.
Continuation caption: All of their coffee is roasted on-site at the roastery, and guests are invited to be a part of the factory experience. The roastery tour is a truly immersive experience in which guests not only take part in roasting coffee beans, but have the opportunity to blend their own ‘brand’ of coffee.