Local Love: Boxcar Coffee
Photo by Boxcar Coffee Roasters
If you’re anything like us, you love your coffee. We are always in search for that perfect cup of joe. If you’re into coffee that’s more craft than commodity and love a story behind your morning cup, Boxcar Coffee Roasters in Boulder (with two cafés and a full‑blown roastery/lab) is the kind of place you’ll want to know about! One of our Boulder local love favorites is well worth the visit.
Founded in 2010 by husband‑and‑wife team Vajra and Cara Rich, Boxcar sprang from Vajra’s obsession with quality. That meant everything from reassembling espresso machines to nailing the perfect roast. And you can tell when you take that first sip.
Photo by Boxcar Coffee Roasters
What sets Boxcar Coffee Roasters apart is their blend of thoughtful sourcing and creative tech. They build lasting, premium-paid relationships with growers, like Mauricio Salaverria in El Salvador, and roast with precision using custom tools like the “Boilermakr,” a glass-rigged contraption Vajra designed to brew coffee at Boulder’s high altitude. Their Pearl and Mesa cafés are cozy spaces that double as mini coffee labs, where baristas nerd out over seasonal roasts like the “Stella” blend or the single-origin Peru La Mushka, known for its caramel apple, orange, and vanilla notes. What could be more amazing than that?!
You can also purchase their delicious brews to have that similar taste in your own home. Shopping on their website, you’ll find everything from beans (blends and single estates) to brewing gear, and stylish merch like tees and gift cards. Subscriptions are available too: you can set it and forget it so you never run dry.
Photo by Boxcar Coffee Roasters
Boxcar isn’t just about the beans or the gear, it’s about the people and the vibe. They really care about the whole chain, from the farmers they work with to the folks sipping coffee in their cafés. Like they say, “a nice cup of coffee is a good way to start the day … our job is to give each person something to smile about.” Whether you’re watching the fancy coffee tech do its thing, chatting with a barista, or just hanging out with your drink, it all feels easy, thoughtful, and a little bit special.
Stop by and check them out if you’re in the area. Hours of operation: M-Sat- 7am to 4pm and Sunday 8am-4pm | Locations: 1825 B Pearl St. Boulder, CO 80302 and The Mesa Location is at 637 S. Broadway, Suite R, Boulder, CO 80305.