Hitting the Road: The First Cups
The journey finally began. After months of planning, dreaming, and preparation, I hit the road for California. Cameron Lewis, Blanchard’s longtime photographer and a key part of our team for the past 10 years, joined me for the first leg. Our first stop: North Carolina, to share a cup of coffee with our friend Robby Roberts, owner of Joe Van Gogh Coffee.
Robby isn’t just a friend—he’s been instrumental in shaping Blanchard’s Coffee, helping us acquire our three Loring Roasters. Buying Loring was the best decision we’ve ever made. The efficiency, precision, and capability of these roasters have transformed what we can do with coffee. Sitting with Robby, drinking coffee, and talking about the future of our businesses reminded me why I love this industry—coffee is never just about the coffee. It’s about relationships, shared passion, and the stories that unfold over a cup.
From North Carolina, we made our way to Pawleys Island to meet my daughter, Acie, who has been on a spring break trip. Tomorrow morning, Acie and I will continue south to Savannah, Georgia, and eventually land in Jacksonville, Florida, for the night.
One day in, and the road already feels like home. Many more cups to come.
