We will be CLOSED on Easter Sunday and Monday, the 9th. Please join us Tuesday morning at 7 a.m. as we resume regular hours.

Thanks!

It’s been too long since our last update, so here are some kaleidoscope photos from around the shop.

Mildfire Coffee will be CLOSED Sunday July 3rd and Monday July 4th.

Oh, stop crying. We’ll be back on Tuesday 7am sharp.

Happy grilling!!!

We’re way behind updating the blog site. I think it’s mostly because this is the blog we really didn’t want to write.
The last several weeks have been bittersweet at Mildfire, as we’ve said good-bye to great employees and equally great customers who are moving on to bigger and better things.

For about five years, Ron has been a staple just about every morning — usually the first customer in — sitting in ‘his’ chair next to the trash can. He’s been confused as the owner of the coffee shop by some. Others thought he was a wealthy, self-made man who had nothing better to do each morning. Very few believed he was a pastor at a local Methodist church. That’s not an indictment, rather a testament to his approachability. Many of our customers know Pastor Ron, if not by name, then by his smile and the kindness he showed them in the few moments it took them to get their drink. He and his family are moving to Alaska to lead First United Methodist Church in Anchorage.

We could write volumes about Rey. This scrawny kid from El Paso was our first hire nearly six years ago. He moved to San Antonio to attend UTSA. He came to us with prior coffee shop experience and a great interest in coffee. What impressed us most, though, was his humility, tact, and incredible work ethic that helped us survive as we opened the shop and got our legs under us. For that we are indebted to him. After getting his degree in Architecture, he continued working at the coffee shop as he established himself in his new career. Now, the time has come for “Little Rey Rey” to continue on that path.

I remember when we decided to hire Bre. She was the last applicant we interviewed for the opening. She was the last because we knew after her interview we didn’t need to look at anyone else. Bre is smart. Really smart. We knew when we hired her that she’d eventually be leaving for medical school. That doesn’t make it any easier to see her go. Her quick wit and even keel were a perfect fit at Mildfire. She’s also, perhaps, the only employee we’ve had to never be late or unexpectedly miss work (besides when she got the swine flue. Or was it the bird flu?) Did I mention how smart she is? She went from “I don’t watch football” to schooling the boys at fantasy football in her first season of play. Hopefully, she’ll be able to carve out a few minutes from studying the important stuff to take part in next season’s contest.

Today was their last day of work and, fittingly, they shared the morning shift. While we’re sad to see them go, we couldn’t be more happy for them as they go and do things infinitely more important than making coffee. Plus, the new batch of employees has us real excited about our future. More on them later!

We’ll be closed Easter.

That’s all!

Coffee delivery day is always exciting for me. I patiently wait, hoping the truck pulls up at any moment. I can always tell when it’s our guy, because he usually circles the parking lot once or twice, wondering why he can’t find our back door (or a loading dock). Lately it’s been the same guy, so he’s learning the routine. He pulls up and unloads a palette loaded down with 150-pound bags of beans from all over the world and leaves them just outside our front door.

This time, he left a real treat: two NEW coffees: Peru and Burundi!

• Peru, Valle Ubiriki is a smooth, light-bodied coffee with muted acidity, great aroma and a hint of spice in the aftertaste. This coffee is organically grown in the Chanchamayo province of Peru. Medium roast. $12.50/lb
• Burundi is a bit bolder, with classic East African floral notes and brightness. Like in many coffee growing areas, the coffee is produced in small lots by  locals using organic growing practices, because, quite frankly, the can’t afford chemicals. $12.50/lb

Come on in and give them a try!

-Mark

We’re looking for a hard-working, fun-loving, coffee-drinking person to work a few hours here and there. If this is you (or someone you know), simply check out our Craigslist post HERE.

Thanks!

We’ve handed (and sent) out ALL our Christmas cards this year, so if you didn’t get one, sorry! Here’s the photo we used this year, along with a few of the ‘behind-the-scenes’ outtakes.

Oh, and in case we haven’t mentioned it before, we LOVE our customers! We never cease to be amazed by your kindness, generosity and good humor. Thanks!