KC-brewed FairWave chases aromas east, adding Baltimore-area roaster to its coffee collective

Working with a larger, experienced leadership team and collaborating with new specialty coffee friends throughout the FairWave coffee collective will be a total game changer for Maryland-based Ceremony Coffee Roasters, said Ronnie Haas.

Ceremony on Monday announced it had joined the family of brands under FairWave Specialty Coffee Collective, which is headquartered in Kansas City and includes Messenger, The Roasterie, and other Midwest-brewed coffee companies.

FairWave’s mission aims to enhance local coffee brands in their respective markets so that the brands truly stay local and remain a part of the communities in which they operate. 

The acquisition and deeply rooted partnership adds the first member of a new mid-Atlantic region for the coffee collective.

“This is an exciting new chapter in Ceremony’s story, and the shared energy of it resonates throughout the culture here,” said Haas wholesale director and a longtime leader at the 22-year-old Annapolis roaster-retailer. “Our hardworking teams are looking forward to new personal and professional growth opportunities with FairWave.”

Throughout Ceremony’s cafes and within its wholesale program, the company works intentionally to create memorable and welcoming experiences centered around their coffees, said Isaac Hodges, president of growth at FairWave.

“It truly is something special,” Hodges said in an announcement of the partnership. “The legacy of the Ceremony community is also so impressive. From former team members who have gone on to open their own coffee companies or won national cup tasters or brewers cup competitions, to the current team that continues to believe in fostering great relationships throughout the supply chain — this team is inspiring.”

Ceremony Coffee Roasters’ shop in Bethesda, Maryland; photo courtesy of FairWave

As part of the investment by FairWave — financial details of the deal were not disclosed — Ceremony founder Vincent Iatesta will continue to lead the Ceremony team as it updates systems, continues renovations and expands capabilities in Annapolis.

At the same time, the leadership team will prepare for updated responsibilities at Ceremony and FairWave, the companies said. 

“The essence of Ceremony will look and feel the same, the same warm cafés, friendly baristas and exceptional coffee, now backed by an even stronger support system,” said Iatesta, who launched the company in 2002 after teaching himself to roast coffee and pull espresso while studying international marketing in the 1990s.

“As part of the collective, we’ll begin to see the advantages of our new resources, systems and expertise infused into the quality of our work, spaces and culture,” he continued.

Isaac Hodges, FairWave Specialty Coffee Collective

The FairWave collective aims to elevate and support specialty coffee brands that are leading locally and looking for added expertise, economies of scale and back-of-house resources from inside the industry, said Hodges. 

“It’s an honor to welcome Ceremony Coffee Roasters to the FairWave Collective,” he added. “The people and passion for specialty coffee is evident throughout the organization, and we’re looking forward to growing together.” 

Ceremony will contribute six retail locations across Annapolis, Baltimore and Bethesda, its roasting operation and admin office, its cold brew ready-to-drink offerings, its e-commerce business, its dedicated team of coffee professionals and leadership as it signs on with FairWave and its core value of ‘better together.’”