BY ANGELO VELOTTA
Gazette Newspapers
MENTOR – The smell of fresh brewed coffee in the morning is something that resonates with so many people and something new was brewing this past weekend: the first-ever Cleveland Coffee Fest.
“The first Cleveland Coffee Fest was a huge success for Calico Jack,” Austin Barbian, co-owner of Calico Jack Coffee Roastery, said. “We sold out of all our bags of coffee we brought to sell, and we met so many incredible coffee drinkers from the Cleveland area.”
Calico Jack Coffee Roastery is located at 8595 Mentor Ave., and has been up and brewing since June of 2024.
“The first Cleveland Coffee Fest went really good,” Charisse Barbian, co-owner of Calico Jack Coffee Roastery, said. “We had wonderful, positive feedback on our coffee being one of the best people had tasted, being low-acidic, well-rounded and smooth.”
Calico Jack Coffee Roastery is a family-run business, owned and operated by Charisse, her husband Chris and their nephew Austin.
“We also met a lot of other roasters we weren’t familiar with before this, so it was a lot of fun to talk shop when we all had a second to breather,” Austin said. “It was a nonstop rush all day, which is a good thing.
“We met a lot of really cool vendors, like ‘Hi, Raya’ who makes the most incredible drink syrups I’ve ever had.”
“It was a pleasure being next to our family-owned Mexico green coffee supplier Lima Coffee,” Charisse said. “We also loved how ticket buyers received a mug for tasting. This helped with reducing paper or plastic cup waste. We want to thank Sip Collective Events for including us, and we are excited for the next fest.”
In addition to Calico Jack Coffee selling some of their treasure trove of fresh coffee, Austin also competed in a latte art competition.
“The latte art throwdown was so much fun,” Austin said. “It was a fierce, but friendly throwdown. I was out in the first round, but it was fun and inspiring to watch the other baristas who have been doing it a lot longer than myself. The incredibly talented Angelo Lozada from Mission Coffee in Columbus was the winner. He and I sat next to each other, and in-between rounds he was the most calm and collected person there.
“There were competitors from coffee shops all over; Heartwood, Lekko, Bent Tree, (and) Portal West just to name a few. It was such a supportive atmosphere and everyone was so kind. I definitely learned a lot for next time.
“After talking with Matt, the owner of Lekko, I’m hoping that there are more throwdowns like the is one throughout the year in the area.”
Calico Jack Coffee Roastery offers around a dozen roasts of coffee, including Mother of Pearl, Tanzanite Gem, Black Pearl and Dutchman’s Brew. They also offer loose-leaf tea, hot chocolate, pastries, bagels, Calico Jack merchandise and items for sale from local vendors. For more information, please visit www.calicojack.coffee.
