By Kate Bartlett
RocketCup Coffee recently launched a new premium roast coffee to benefit St. Bonaventure University. A portion of the proceeds of each Bonnies Blend coffee bag goes directly to the University as an effort to give back to the University that has played a major role in the founding of this business.
With headquarters in the village of Cattaraugus and their second café location in Olean, RocketCup coffee has been fostering their mission to cultivate community since 2022. 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.” Their recent collaboration with St Bonaventure holds true to fostering this mission.
with Elvis. Aside from skier photo ops, and news articles, the visiting
kids did incredible artwork of Gladys that hung all over the walls. Her legacy
was insured. The fi nal tribute was her ice sculpture, which was located across
the road from Cadillac’s, on Sunrise. (Belated thanks to the unknown Holiday
Valley ski lift attendants ((were you one of them?)) who created this treasure
of a snow sculpture pink Cadillac decades ago. Note the name on the license
plate – a hat-tip to Skip Yahn.)
Cattaraugus, NY 14719), giving the unique opportunity to observe and partake
in the coffee roasting experience. The tour starts with an introduction of each
coffee bean, taste testing, hands on roasting, and then allows each guest to
blend their own unique blend to take home. Roastery experiences are currently
available on Saturdays and Sundays and can be booked on their website.
strongly in the power of community. Their recent collaboration
with St Bonaventure holds true to fostering this mission.
Tom is a St Bonaventure graduate himself and currently runs the SBU Entrepreneurship Center at the University. His very first employee and current Manager of Marketing & Sales, MacKenzie Bush, is also a St Bona grad along with many baristas and employees with RocketCup over the past 1.5 years. “This is such a great opportunity for us to give back to the university,” says Tom. “We’re looking forward to supporting the university with this project for many years to come.
The Bonnies Blend is a premium medium roast blend of Brazil and Columbian beans roasted in house at their Cattaraugus location. “Our coffee is considered “specialty” since it’s a higher quality bean, and we can’t wait for people to taste the difference,” says Tom. The bag features the St. Bonaventure logo and was designed with a luxurious image in mind, somewhat of a collector’s item.
The coffee was launched in conjunction with St Bonaventure’s 80’s weekend. “Most alumni consider this our homecoming weekend,” says Tom. “It’s a great opportunity to get everyone together, a reunion of sorts. St. Bonaventure has a strong alumni involvement and a great support network. This is more than just a coffee; it’s a way to stay connected to Bona Nation while giving back to the community that built us.”
Bonnies Blend is available for purchase online and Tom is thrilled to report he has already had numerous sales. “We’ve been very busy at the roastery,” says Toms. “We’re working on filling the hundreds of orders that have already come in. We’re very excited about this partnership and looking forward to supporting the university for many years.” RocketCup plans to keep the Bonnies Blend on indefinitely. “It’s not something that’s going away. We plan to keep this blend going for-ever.”
The Bonnies Blend is one of many coffee varieties that are available in the RocketCup Coffee Subscription packages. “This is a great option for anyone looking to have our premium coffee delivered on a regular basis,” explains Tom. “We have a variety of packages available including 2, 4, 6, and 8 week deliveries of any of our coffees delivered strait to your doorstep.”
RocketCup also offers roastery tours at the Cattaraugus location (18 N Main St, Cattaraugus, NY 14719), giving the unique opportunity to observe and partake in the coffee roasting experience. The tour starts with an introduction of each coffee bean, taste testing, hands on roasting, and then allows each guest to blend their own unique blend to take home. Roastery experiences are currently available on Saturdays and Sundays and can be booked on their website.
For more information and updates on upcoming events and projects, follow on social media @ RocketCup Coffee and visit online @ rocketcupcoffee.com.