New Coffee, Same Heart: Welcome Proud Hound Coffee to Coterie

Hey beautiful people!

I'm so excited to share some news that's been brewing (pun absolutely intended) - Coterie is now proudly serving Proud Hound Coffee, a local Cincinnati roaster whose mission aligns so perfectly with ours that it feels like this partnership was meant to be.

Why We Made the Switch

Look, changing coffee suppliers isn't something I take lightly. Coffee is literally at the heart of what we do - it's in our name, it's what brings people through our doors, it's the ritual that starts your morning and fuels your afternoon. So when I say we're switching to Proud Hound, know that this decision came from a place of deep alignment with who we are and what we believe in.

Proud Hound Coffee Roasters is based right here in Silverton, and their mission statement is three simple but powerful words: Dignity for All.

Let that sink in for a second. Dignity for all.

What "Dignity for All" Really Means

When Proud Hound says dignity for all, they mean everyone in the coffee supply chain - from the farmers growing the beans in their fields, to the importers bringing green coffee to the U.S., to the roasters perfecting each batch, to the baristas (like us!) serving your morning latte, all the way to you, the customer enjoying that first sip.

Every single person in that chain deserves to be treated with dignity, paid a livable wage, and valued for their contribution. That's not just a nice tagline - it's how they actually operate their business.

The founder, Dan Smith, attended intensive workshops on responsible green coffee buying to make sure Proud Hound sources ethically. They're committed to ensuring that the farmers who grow their coffee can actually support their families. That the people roasting and serving coffee can build careers, not just survive paycheck to paycheck.

Sound familiar? Because that's exactly what we're trying to build at Coterie.

Why This Partnership Feels Right

From the moment I learned about Proud Hound's mission, I knew this was the kind of business I wanted to support and align with. We've always been about community, about treating people with dignity and respect, about creating spaces where everyone's contribution matters.

When I think about my own journey as a first-generation Dominican-American building a business, when I think about the values my grandmother Mami Lola passed down about treating people right, when I think about what we're trying to create here at Coterie - it all comes back to dignity.

Dignity for our staff. Dignity for our customers. Dignity for everyone who walks through our doors or contributes to what we're building.

Partnering with Proud Hound means our coffee now reflects those values from bean to cup.

Supporting Local, Building Community

Here's another beautiful part of this partnership - Proud Hound is local to Cincinnati. They're roasting right here in Silverton, creating jobs in our community, and building relationships with other local businesses who share their values.

Every time you order a Proud Hound coffee at Coterie, you're supporting not one but two local businesses committed to doing things the right way. You're voting with your dollars for ethical sourcing, fair wages, and community investment.

That's the kind of ripple effect that changes everything.

What You Can Expect

So what does this mean for your daily coffee routine? You're still getting that same quality, carefully crafted coffee experience you've come to expect from Coterie. But now it's backed by a supply chain that treats everyone involved with dignity and respect.

Proud Hound offers beautifully roasted single-origin selections and thoughtful blends. Their coffee is the result of intensive education, careful sourcing, and genuine passion for the craft. And honestly? It tastes like coffee that was made with intention and care, because it was.

Whether you're grabbing your usual oat milk latte, trying a new pour-over, or stopping by for your afternoon pick-me-up, you can feel good knowing that your coffee choice is supporting ethical practices and local business.

Building Something Bigger Together

This partnership represents something I'm really proud of - the ability to align our business practices with our values. To put our money where our mouth is when we talk about community, dignity, and doing business the right way.

Proud Hound believes that baristas should be able to build careers and buy houses with their salaries. We believe our team deserves to be valued and compensated fairly. They believe in transparency and ethical sourcing. We believe in honest business practices and treating people right.

It's not just about coffee - it's about what kind of world we're building together, one cup at a time.

Come Taste the Difference

I'm inviting you to come experience Proud Hound Coffee at Coterie. Taste what coffee roasted with intention and served with pride can be. Feel good knowing that your morning ritual is supporting ethical practices from farm to cup.

And if you're curious to learn more about Proud Hound's mission and process, ask us! We love talking about the businesses we partner with and why these relationships matter.

Here's to coffee that tastes good and does good. Here's to partnerships built on shared values. And here's to continuing to build a community that believes everyone deserves dignity.

With love, gratitude, and really good coffee,

Ghiovanna ✨