Intelligentsia's story began back in 1995, when finding great tasting, fresh roasted coffee was surprisingly elusive. So, Doug Zell and Emily Mange decided to do something about it.
Relocating from San Francisco, they opened their own coffeebar and retail store in Chicago’s eclectic Lakeview neighborhood. Roasting their coffee in-store, with equipment that was more antique than state-of-the-art, they honed their craft, seeking nothing less than perfection in every aspect of the experience. Little did Doug and Emily know that what started as a way to connect with people and the community in an intimate, personal way would blossom into something that would help shape an entire industry.
Fast forward 21 years, and Intelligentsia still holds true to the values that originally inspired them. They've grown, they've evolved, but certainly haven’t changed. Through their coffeebars, Roasting Works, and training labs, they now make their home in five quintessential American cities (Chicago, LA, San Francisco, New York and Atlanta), each possessing distinctive characteristics that resonate within the Intelligentsia brand.