Pittsburg, PA
Weekly Coffee News: Pittsburgh Chain Closes + Commodities Premiums to Rise
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Adda Coffee Closes All Pittsburgh Locations, Employees Rally
A popular Pittsburgh specialty coffee company called Adda Coffee & Tea House closed all four of its locations a day after employees announced their intention to unionize. Dozens of workers have since rallied, asking for severance. In social media posts, the owner of the chain has characterized the timing of the closures as “unfortunate,” while saying that the shops have been operating at a loss for a period of years. “Our final determination was solely and entirely based on the financial viability of the business,” an Adda spokesperson wrote on Facebook yesterday. “The timing has been unfortunate but we could no longer continue losing money.”
ICE Plans to Raise Premiums for Arabicas from Four Key Countries
A report in Reuters this week outlined plans by the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) to raise price premiums on futures contracts for arabica coffees from four key countries of origin: Colombia, Kenya, Costa Rica and Guatemala.
Prima Coffee Named Direct Distributor of Mahlkönig
Europe-based coffee equipment conglomerate Hemro Group tapped Kentucky-based Prima Coffee Equipment to be a direct distributor of Mahlkönig grinders in the United States. The company became an exclusive distributor of Ditting grinders in 2021, and it now distributes all four of Hemro Group’s major brands.
Melitta Unveils New Filter Packaging with Environmental Certifications
Manual coffee brewing and filter company Melitta has unveiled new packaging for its archetypal cone filters. The new packaging notably boasts two certifications geared towards environmental stewardship: Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) certification; and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification.
Carble Launches Free Guide to Remote Sensing in Coffee
Coffee-focused sustainability agency Carble has published “The Beginners Guide to Remote Sensing for Coffee & Cocoa Supply Chains.” The free publication is designed to provide users a foundational knowledge of how remote sensing works, and how it might be leveraged to combat deforestation and achieve organizational sustainability goals.
Marco Beverage Systems Earns B Corp Status
Ireland and United States-based commercial coffee equipment maker Marco Beverage Systems, part of the Middleby Corporation, has earned B Corp certification.
Nuova Simonelli Launches Middle East Branch in Dubai
Italian coffee equipment company Nuova Simonelli has launched a branch office and “experience lab” in Dubai. The branch represents the brand’s focal point for sales and services throughout the Middle East.
Dutch Bros Expanding Arizona Operations Support Center
Oregon-based coffee chain Dutch Bros announced it is vastly expanding its Arizona-based operations support center, in order to promote more nationwide growth towards a goal of 4,000 stores. The company said that by the end of this year, it expects to have 40% of its support staff based in Arizona.
Scooter’s Coffee Names Two More Executives
Nebraska-based chain Scooter’s Coffee has appointed two new executives, naming Susan Tegt chief legal officer and John Owen chief operating officer. The appointments come approximately 10 weeks after Scooter’s named Joe Thornton CEO.
Atomic Coffee Roasters Partners with Nonprofit Elevate Youth
Boston-area roasting company Atomic Coffee Roasters is collaborating with the youth-focused nonprofit Elevate Youth for a new charitable line of products called “Loud Pow.” Proceeds from the sale of the coffee will go towards outdoor programs for youth.
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In Case You Missed It
Here are some of DCN’s top stories from the past week…
Unintended Consequences of EU Deforestation-Free Regulation (EUDR) on Smallholder Coffee Producers, Part 1
To reduce the adverse effects of farming on the climate, the European Union passed landmark legislation in 2023 requiring seven agricultural commodities to be confirmed “deforestation free” before importation… read more
AI Comes to Green Coffee Sorting with the Avercasso CS One
An AI-powered green coffee sorting machine called the CS One recently made its public debut, courtesy of a new Taiwanese brand called Avercasso… read more
New ‘E-Nose’ Identifies Coffee with Up to 98% Accuracy
The research team is using the new e-nose to develop a library of coffee aromas to improve the AI, while also catering to a broader diversity of coffee origins, processing methods and varieties… read more
Olympia Coffee Co-Founder Launches High-End Oliver’s Custom Coffee
A longtime leader of Washington State roasting company Olympia Coffee has launched a new venture called Oliver’s Custom Coffee, focused on high-end coffees, experimental post-harvest processing and a novel approach to communicating differences in roasting… read more
Slingshot Prepares US Launch of Talis and Sisma Commercial Grinders
Coffee equipment maker Slingshot Technology will soon be shipping its new Talis and Sisma commercial espresso grinders into the United States… read more
Here’s What’s Happening at Roast Summit 2024
Roast Magazine is pleased to release the full program details for Roast Summit 2024, a two-day experience taking place in the coffee hub of Portland, Oregon, Feb 22-23… read more
Denim Coffee Opens XL Roastery and HQ in Central Pennsylvania
Central Pennsylvania specialty coffee company Denim Coffee is poised to grow in all directions with a new headquarters and expanded roastery in Chambersburg… read more
Pittsburg, PA
Steelers insider just poured gasoline on the Aaron Rodgers fire following latest report of what he was doing in Pittsburgh
Aaron Rodgers was supposed to be in Pittsburgh over the weekend, with the thought that a deal would get done. One Steelers insider backs the report, but adds details that only compound a messy situation.
Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
At this point, the events of the past two seasons between Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers could probably be a book or movie. Everything from walks on the beach, to him throwing with DK Metcalf before signing, to someone capturing him driving a rental car into Pittsburgh has made waves.
This offseason was supposed to be different, and a decision from Rodgers was supposed to come much earlier. However, the Steelers remain in a holding pattern, and one that many believed would end over the weekend, after it was reported that Rodgers would be in town to sign a contract. Well, that seems to be true, but like much of this saga over the past two years, there seems to be a holdup.
Aaron Rodgers 2025 stats
- 3.4 TD to INT ratio.
- 3,322 passing yards.
- 65.7% completion percentage.
Aaron Rodgers visited Pittsburgh, but not the Steelers over the weekend
“Aaron Rodgers has been in town for a couple days, but the Steelers have not met with him yet and instead have been talking with his agent. Rodgers has stayed away from the team’s South Side facility while the three-day rookie minicamp has been going on.” – Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The news from Dulac comes on the heels of the report from 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh that Rodgers would be visiting the Steelers over the weekend, with the intention to sign his deal.
That report was backed up nationally by NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, but some in Steelers media (Mark Kaboly) said that if Rodgers was going to be in town, that was news to the team.
Omar Khan said as much during a radio hit after the reports surfaced, saying that he didn’t know where Rodgers was, but that talks remained fluid. Of course, general managers, including Omar Khan, have been known to bend the truth, which seems to lie somewhere in the middle here.
The bottom line with Aaron Rodgers
It’s obvious to me that the Steelers and Rodgers are held up over money. I know that it was said to not be the case, but you don’t intentionally avoid meeting with a team and have your agent talk to them, just days after they use a tender that determines your 2026 salary, if you’re just going to sign.
I would be surprised if Rodgers doesn’t sign at this point, but it doesn’t change the monetary situation that needs to be worked out here.
Kennywood honored two longtime employees Saturday who together have worked at the park for a combined 100 years.
Larry Russ and Bobby Trygar started working at Kennywood in 1976.
Russ began his Kennywood career as a games employee, working at the Big Apple dart game. In 1980, Russ applied to the security team and has held positions there ever since, including roles as a corporal, lieutenant, chief, and captain, according to a press release provided by the park.
Trygar began his time at Kennywood by working in the Parkside Café. Since he joined Kennywood, he has helped to maintain some of the park’s most iconic attractions, including the Racer, Log Jammer, and Merry Go Round.
“This is something you dream about. It’s so amazing,” Trygar said. “One of the best things when I worked out here was when I met my wife on the Racer. I was the mechanic. It’s just a great feeling to come here every day, see smiles on people’s faces, it’s tremendous. It gives you that extra boost and happiness.”
“I was planning on going into the mill, like everyone else was during my era,” Russ said. “Of course, the mill shut down. My father told me, ‘You don’t want to [work at the mill]. This place isn’t going to be here that much longer,’ and he was right, so I stuck it out here. I got a full-time position in 1980, and the rest is history.”
The park also dedicated two benches in their honor.
The new policy requiring anyone under 18 to be accompanied by someone over 21 in Market Square may not be as firm as some first thought.
KDKA observed unaccompanied kids in and around the square in Pittsburgh on Saturday evening, but in very small numbers, especially compared to the hundreds of kids who gathered as recently as during the NFL draft last month. Many of the kids were walking through the square or to restaurants like Chipotle.
It was the kids who lingered on Saturday evening who were approached by either youth outreach teams, private security or officers.
Von Madden — the founder of AIM, a youth outreach group — said it’s when kids start gathering in large numbers that they’ll be asked to leave.
“I don’t think they are going to be kicked out of the space for buying food or walking by,” Madden said. “The policy was so they’re allowed to hang out, but if they’re causing disruption, they were asked to move.”
Outreach workers within the square on Saturday evening said they’ve been approaching kids to make sure they are aware of the rules, but aren’t forcing them to leave. Some workers suggested alternative places they could go, as they work to form relationships with the kids
Madden, who was not at the square on Saturday, said in theory, enforcement works by private security engaging kids first, and then if that doesn’t work, outreach staff comes over. Only as a last resort are police officers brought in.
KDKA watched as a group of about 15 to 20 kids formed along Market Street steps away from a police SUV on Saturday evening. A member of the private security approached the kids first, pointing toward the exit of the square. Once more kids gathered, a group of five to 10 officers walked over, and the group dispersed toward Liberty Avenue.
A group of teenagers near Chipotle told KDKA that officers told them they had to leave if they weren’t actually going to the restaurant. Madden said the policy, which is in effect from Thursday to Sunday from 3 p.m to midnight, has worked well this week.
“It was phenomenal. Thursday was great,” Madden said. “The kids came, a lot of kids. They were absolutely excited about everything going on.”
Thursday was the first night for the temporary roller rink in Market Square, and a rainy Friday kept many people away. People enjoying their Saturday evening in the square gave mixed reviews about the policy.
“I think it’s definitely necessary,” Cristina from Butler told KDKA. “It keeps the community safe, and it allows adults and parents to know that their kids are safe as well, and just a more controlled environment.”
Danielle Graham from Robinson said she’d been observing kids interacting with police and believes kids aren’t welcome in Market Square, even if they are not being disruptive. She said there was a discrepancy in what private security and officers knew about the rule, adding that police asked her if the child she was chaperoning was her legal guardian.
She said she offered to chaperone kids to allow them to enjoy the square and so she could observe what was going on.
“There’s no clear understanding from the people that are supposedly enforcing it,” Robinson said. “You just put more vulnerable kids in front of law enforcement, things can go wrong.”
Pittsburgh City Councilwoman Barb Warwick shared her own criticism of the policy during a meeting last week.
“Not only does this feel highly unwelcoming to families with teens, it also seems questionable in terms even of enforcement,” Warwick said. “I don’t know that there’ll be like a private security, what are we checking IDs like, you know? How is this working? My understanding is it’s on an event permit.”
KDKA-TV did not observe any IDs being checked on Saturday and saw at most 12 officers in the square at once, along with the private security.
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