Fairwave adds another Minneapolis coffee company to its fresh-brewed collective alongside Messenger, Roasterie

FairWave Coffee Collective has pulled another shot of growth, serving up news Tuesday of its acquisition of a second Minneapolis-based purveyor in as many years. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Up Coffee Roasters to the FairWave collective,” Suzanne Gunning, vice president of marketing, said in a release. 

The acquisition keeps Kansas City-based FairWave on track with its 2020-poured goal to brew a unified network of coffee brands — beginning with Messenger Coffee and The Roasterie — that operate together and provide communities with quality coffee.

“As the Collective grows in Minneapolis and into new markets, we are driven by the same purpose: to preserve and elevate local specialty coffee brands through best practices, innovation, and authentic coffee experiences,” added Dan Trott, CEO of FairWave.

Click here to learn more about FairWave Coffee Collective and its beginnings. 

Fellow Minneapolis-made brand, Spyhouse Coffee Roasters, joined the collective in 2021. 

“Up will bring a new element to the collective with most of its business focused on wholesale products, equipment, and supplies. We’re excited to be able to support and help grow another local Minneapolis business that is so heavily ingrained in the local community,” Gunning continued. 

A regional leader in Minneapolis, Up is known for its work to provide its peers with fair trade, organic coffee, wholesale specialty food ingredients, equipment, supplies, and cafe training. Its work has to date impacted more than 1,000 coffee shops, restaurants, hotels, and universities. 

In addition to its work to educate within the coffee space, the company operates at Northeast Minneapolis storefront, Up Café. 

 “It’s an exciting day for Up Coffee as we join the FairWave Coffee Collective,” said David Chall, owner. 

 “For almost three decades, we’ve been providing the Minneapolis area with wholesale artisan fair trade organic coffee, and we know this new partnership will only help us grow and improve our operations.”

Chall will continue to run the company despite its acquisition by FairWave — of which he is now an investor. All Up employees will retain their positions and the company will continue to operate as a local entity.