By Allie Brawley
In communities across the Eastern Upper Peninsula, the ritual of morning coffee is more than a habit — it’s a shared experience that connects neighbors, supports local businesses and celebrates craftsmanship. For two local roasters — Superior Coffee Roasting Company in Sault Ste. Marie and Les Cheneaux Coffee Roasters in Cedarville — coffee is a way to root themselves in place while elevating what’s available to residents and visitors. Though their paths differ, both emerged from a desire to fill a regional gap, create an exceptional product and honor their communities. Their stories, grounded in passion, quality and purpose, reflect the full aroma of what it means to brew local.
Superior Coffee Roasting Company: Crafting a Regional Brand with Heart
When Ron Kurnik returned to Sault Ste. Marie in 2012 after years spent across the U.S. and overseas, he was ready to start something new. The idea took root from childhood memories: “My mom used to roast coffee in the kitchen, which gave me an appreciation for fresh roasted coffee.” He quickly noticed the EUP lacked fresh, locally roasted beans, so with a business background and a passion for marketing, branding and packaging, he seized an opportunity.
Superior Coffee Roasting Company began with a focus on quality but has evolved into a mission-driven brand attentive to sustainability and water conservation. Even as the global coffee market has seen drastic price increases — from $1.72 per pound a year ago to more than $4 today — Ron says demand remains steady. “Coffee is consistent,” he notes. “People value it even through shifting economies and the pandemic.” Today, Superior sources beans from Colombia, Mexico, Ethiopia and Southeast Asia, selecting regions known for soils, climates and elevations that shape each bean’s character.
Ron’s intuition about branding — choosing “Superior” for its Great Lakes resonance — helped build a product line deeply tied to local identity. From Mariner’s True North Roast to Sailor’s Sunrise, their blends honor the region. For flavored coffees, Superior partners with a specialty flavoring company to offer favorites like Mackinac Island Fudge and Michigan Chocolate Cherry.
What began as roasting grew into a café venture: first through a subleased location in 2016, then into their standalone Portage Street café in 2019. Superior recently opened a campus café inside Considine Hall at Lake Superior State University. Each location features homemade baked goods and sandwiches — a natural extension of the roastery’s commitment to freshness.
Superior’s largest focus is wholesale distribution and rapidly growing online sales and subscriptions. Their collaborations span the region, including in-room coffee at Kewadin Casinos, Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island and shelves in local UP grocers. All roasting, packaging and distribution occur at their Sault Ste. Marie headquarters.
“We ship everywhere — from Alaska to the Florida Keys. People discover us when visiting or Coast Guard families who transfer and want to take Superior Coffee with them,” Ron says. “In 13 years, I’m proud of our staff of about 20, our production manager and having a brand known across the U.S.”
Learn more at superiorcoffeeroasting.com
Les Cheneaux Coffee Roasters: Coffee with Intention, Ethics, and Community
For Dave and Jen Gough, coffee started as a shared interest and a dream of running a business together. When the couple moved to Cedarville and saw the need for specialty coffee, the idea became real. They began roasting in 2016 and selling at the Hessel Farmer’s Market before opening their café in April 2018. The café has grown since opening and recently moved into the Tipper Room in collaboration with Les Cheneaux Distillers. The location along Hodek Street’s waterfront now serves as a cozy community hub offering homemade pastries, breakfast sandwiches and other items crafted by Jen, and a full coffee and espresso bar.
“The philosophy and science of roasting has really evolved,” Dave explains. “Our approach was to buy the best quality beans we could afford—ethically harvested, organic, and when possible, fair trade certified to help offset gender inequities in the coffee industry.” They go a step further by sourcing from Women Producer Programs when available, including 100% women-owned and operated farms in Sumatra. “We pay a premium for those beans and receive reports about how the funds help farmers—whether improving farming practices, accessing organic resources or supporting education in remote areas.”
Les Cheneaux Coffee Roasters currently sources beans from Ethiopia, Brazil, Mexico, Sumatra, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Colombia. They produce 11 coffees—five blends and six single-origin varieties. Their bestseller, Huron Jewel, is a medium breakfast roast crafted in partnership with the Drummond Island Tall Ship Company.
For Dave, the reward is immediate: “The biggest measure of success is seeing a smile when someone tastes our coffee. We want people to discover something comforting and enjoyable.” Education is woven into their mission as well—helping customers understand the nuanced flavors of specialty-grade beans, the stories of growers and the value of ethically sourced coffee.
Like many small businesses in a seasonal region, Les Cheneaux navigates fluctuating traffic year-round. They’ve built resilience through wholesale accounts, private label roasting and a growing subscription base that keeps customers engaged even after they return home.
“We believe education is the foundation of positive social change,” Dave says. And through every pour, they invite the community into that conversation.
Learn more at lescheneauxcoffeeroasters.com
Drummond Island Coffee Company
Drummond Island Coffee Company was founded with a simple dream: to share the feeling of island life, one smooth, memorable cup at a time.
“We wanted to provide coffee that not only fuels adventures but also creates lasting memories,” said owner Carly Guggemos, who spent summers on the island growing up and relocated to Drummond in 2021 with her husband and co-founder, Tyler.
Though the beans aren’t roasted on the island itself, they are roasted in the EUP in small batches to maintain balance, consistency and the character of Drummond’s rugged beauty. Inspired by the island’s fresh waters, cedar forests and rocky trails, each blend is crafted to feel like a breath of the outdoors. Their bestselling Island Roast has become a favorite for its smooth, everyday drinkability.
One blend in particular reflects their commitment to giving back: the 911 Roast, available November through winter, with 20% of every bag supporting local first responders on Drummond Island.
Whether at farmer’s markets, shops across the EUP or online, the Guggemos family hopes each cup helps people slow down, savor a moment and feel connected to the island they love.