‘Sprodown Featured In Latest Barista Magazine

This month, PACA and The ‘Sprodown are featured in Barista Magazine, a national magazine devoted to the coffeeshops and culture. Thanks again to all who helped make The ‘Sprodown possible, Voluto Coffee, coffee roasters, both local and national, Rich Westerfield at Aldo Coffee for writing the article, Rima Warren for the photos, Barista Magazine and everyone who came out to support the event.

What is PACA?

Here at PACA we’re all about two things: Pittsburgh and Coffee. We think Pittsburgh has one of the best coffee communities in the country and we’re building on that. A group of shop owners and baristi passionate about coffee have joined together to share knowledge and continue to be at the forefront in the coffee industry. The smaller, more intimate size of our group fosters camaraderie that cannot be found in the larger coffee communities such as Seattle, Portland, or NYC.

PACA exists for both the Pittsburgh community and the larger coffee world. In the local community, we host parties, education events, and coffee cuppings for both baristi and anyone interested in coffee. We also help local shops to reach their full potential through training and education. PACA’s members include shop owners, baristas, roasters, and home enthusiasts. On the larger level, we help to promote Pittsburgh’s quality coffee scene and the knowledge that comes from it. We believe Pittsburgh has the potential to be one of the top cities for quality coffee in the world and look forward to playing an integral role in this growth.

Who is PACA?

Morgan Stewart is the Youth Barista Program Coordinator at Union Project. The YBP engages youth aging out of foster care in learning job skills, most specifically, how to be a barista.

Phil Johnson is the chief roaster at La Prima Coffee in Pittsburgh’s Strip District. He is also co-owner of Beleza, a community coffeeshop located in the Mexican War Streets district in the Northside.

Jake Liefer works at Beaver Falls Coffee & Tea, in the town of Beaver Falls. He also works for CCO, a campus ministry organization, at Geneva College.