Business name: Millar’s Wood Roasted Coffee and Solar Espresso.
Owner: Mary and Todd Millar.
Address: Yacolt.
What the business does: Local coffee company that uses the traditional wood-fire process. The business also stores green coffee beans in old bourbon barrels before roasting. Mary Millar said the company is dedicated to reducing its carbon footprint by using organic, fair-trade coffee, wood instead of petroleum-based fuels and hand-stamped labels made from soy inks.
The Millars began the “Random Acts of Coffee” project after they built a biodiesel, solar-powered, sprinter mobile coffee van. The van is completely self-contained using solar power and batteries, even to operate the big-screen television and stereo system inset on the outside of the van. The coffee company serves free coffee monthly to organizations or groups who are doing something extraordinary in the community to help others.
How has the economy affected your business: Coffee sales have remained stable. However, business could be threatened by the newest coffee trend of more homeowners buying equipment and producing their own gourmet coffee drinks at home as a result of a tighter economy.
Greatest challenge: Continuing to run a more environmentally conscience business. The company’s coffee roasting requires more labor and attention than one which is more automated. The Millars spend time educating people about their unique coffee-roasting process.
