Customer Spotlight: True West Coffee
If you live in or near the Hamilton, OH area you are likely already familiar with the coffee pros at True West Coffee, but if you’re not, you need to get there like… yesterday. We’ve been lucky enough to work with Chris & Ness Cannon and the True West team for years and they have always done the most to put community first. Inspired to open True West to create a third space for the Hamilton community, they opened their doors in December of 2011 (Happy belated birthday!).
True West occupies a beautiful 150 year old two-story home in the heart of Hamilton and is definitely a destination to seek out for a great cup of coffee or a quick bite to eat. Owner Chris Cannon was kind enough to share some more of the True West story with us and answer some of our questions of curiosity.
Tell us your coffee “origin story.” How did you get started in coffee?
Our coffee origins started at college, Ohio University. Ness and I would spend a lot of weekends at open mics at The Front Room coffee shop on campus. We loved the atmosphere. Ironically, we didn’t drink coffee at the time. It wasn’t until we looked to open True West that we started drinking coffee. The great thing is that because we started drinking pour-over, especially with the Espresso Guild (now named Deeper Roots) that we started at a really high level and didn’t bring in any Maxwell House baggage.
What inspired you to start your own business?
We always dreamed of starting our own business. Back in college we talked about opening a cereal restaurant (possible names: The Cereal Shack or Killer Cereal). When we moved to Hamilton after we were married we were in office jobs and miserable. We loved the community and really felt a need to create a third space. While the city was really struggling, we saw the potential for a great revival and maybe we could be a part of it.
Where are you located and why did you choose that location or locations?
True West is located at 313 Main St. in Hamilton, OH. We are in a small two story house that is 150 years old. When we first looked at the building it was a mess. Stuff everywhere, dirty and a hole cut in the first floor ceiling. But it had good bones. The location was great! Next to parking and the possibility of a drive thru made it worth the risk.
How long has True West been open?
True West turns 9 on Dec 11th! Almost double digits.
How much coffee do you typically drink in a day?
Typically, I drink one cup of pour over in the morning and then maybe an espresso drink in the afternoon. On a hot day maybe an iced chai also hits the spot.
Tell us about one of your interests outside of coffee.
Outside of coffee, we love spending time with our 3 kids (West, Penelope, and Clementine). Our favorite thing may be family trips to Disney World. Just a great escape from everything.
If you could only drink three beverages for the rest of your life, what would they be?
Three beverages is tough. Definitely coffee from a V60. And water. Life would be short without water. And then bottled coke. It’s pretty fantastic.
What is your favorite coffee origin and why?
I don’t know if I have one particular origin that I am obsessed with. It’s fun to try different coffees from all over the place.
Currently, what is your favorite coffee?
I am really enjoying the Bourbon Chocola Honey. Delicious.
(If you missed this limited release, check out the next coffee we are rolling out from Finca San Jeronimo Miramar - Typica San Roque available via BlueCart)
What is your go-to order when checking out a new coffee shop?
I enjoy watching baristas work and to see the rhythm that they work in. So, typically I’ll order a cappuccino or latte. Although getting a nice pour over is never a bad idea.
How do you brew coffee at home and what coffee device could you not live without?
We typically make all of our coffee using a Hario V60 to make pour over. Although it’s not essential, I love my Fellow Kettle (available to wholesale customers in BlueCart). It heats fast and is an awesome pour. And it is aesthetically pleasing.
If someone were to play you in a movie about your life, who would it be?
Ness would have to be played by Kristen Bell. They look too similar. And they are both spunky and funny. My mother-in-law thinks I look like Bruce Willis (which is both flattering and uncomfortable), so I guess he would be a good option for me.
Espresso or filter coffee?
Filter coffee. But espresso is so good.
Iced coffee or hot coffee?
Hot coffee. But on a hot summer afternoon, iced coffee is perfect! So many decisions. Stop making me cut great things out of my life.