Colectivo Coffee Roasters facts for kids
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Formerly
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Alterra Coffee Roasters |
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| Private | |
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | 1993 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
| Headquarters | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. |
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Number of locations
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20 |
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Key people
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Ward Fowler and Paul Miller |
| Products | Coffee |
Colectivo Coffee Roasters is a special coffee company based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They roast their own coffee and make all their food in Milwaukee. Many people across the country know them as a company that supplies coffee to other businesses.
Before July 2013, the company was called Alterra Coffee Roasters. The Alterra Coffee brand was sold to Mars Inc in 2010. Later, in 2018, it was sold again to Lavazza.
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History of Colectivo Coffee
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The company began in 1993. It was started by Lincoln Fowler, Ward Fowler, and Paul Miller. Today, Colectivo owns and runs 20 locations. You can find these cafes in the Milwaukee, Madison, and Chicago metropolitan areas.
In 1999, Alterra Baking Company was created. It is now called Troubadour Bakery. In 2007, the bakery and the coffee roasting area moved to a new spot in Milwaukee. A new bakery was built in 2012. Colectivo's main coffee roasting area and offices are still in Milwaukee.
In 2010, Mars Incorporated bought the rights to the Alterra Coffee Roasters name. Mars uses this name for coffee packets in office coffee machines. The original Milwaukee company kept its local business. It also continued to grow.
Colectivo started opening cafes in Chicago in 2017. They opened in neighborhoods like Lincoln Park and Logan Square. In 2018, they added a cafe in Evanston, near Northwestern University. By 2019, Colectivo had opened its 21st location in Wicker Park.
In 2021, workers at Colectivo decided to form a union. This meant they wanted to work together to improve their jobs. After some discussions, the NLRB (a government group that handles worker rights) made a final decision in May 2022. They ruled that the employees had won their vote. This meant the workers could start talking with the company about a contract.
Why the Name Changed
In 2013, the company changed its name to Colectivo Coffee Roasters. The Alterra name is no longer used by Colectivo. It was used by Mars Drinks until Lavazza bought Mars's coffee business.
The name Colectivo comes from special buses. These "colectivo" buses are colorful and artistic. They are used for public transportation across Latin America. They are an important part of daily life for many people. The owners of Colectivo Coffee bought a restored 1958 "colectivo" bus. It has made appearances in Milwaukee since 2013.
Awards and Recognition
Colectivo Coffee has received awards for being environmentally friendly. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized them. They were listed as an EPA Green Power Partner. This is because they use 100% green energy. This energy comes from wind power, solar energy, and other clean sources. In 2004, they won the Green Power Leadership Award.
In 2008, their Humboldt Boulevard location won an award. It was named the Best Environmentally Friendly Project. This award came from the Milwaukee Business Journal. It also won the Heart of the Community Award.
In 2013, their Bay View cafe and bakery also won an award. It received the Real Estate Award from the Milwaukee Business Journal. This was for its positive impact on the Milwaukee Area.
Complex City Guide named Colectivo one of the best coffee roasters in the US in 2013. OnMilwaukee also voted Colectivo "Milwaukee's Best Coffee Shop/Cafe" in 2013.
Colectivo has sent its baristas to compete in national coffee competitions. These are called the United States Barista Championship events. Barista Trainer Scott Lucey placed 3rd in the 2008 championship. He was also the 2009 Great Lakes Regional Barista Champion.
Colectivo Union Efforts
In March 2021, Colectivo workers voted on whether to form a union. The IBEW (a union group) would represent them. The first vote was a tie. After reviewing some ballots, the final count showed that more workers voted for the union.
Colectivo management expressed disappointment with the result. However, they stated they would respect the rules. The union and its supporters criticized the company. They said the company tried to stop the union. They also said the company hired a consultant to encourage workers to vote against the union.
Workers and their supporters protested outside Colectivo cafes. They handed out flyers. These flyers asked Colectivo to support the union. In May 2022, the NLRB made a final decision. They ruled that the Colectivo workers had indeed won their election. This meant the union was officially recognized.
