Welcome to Unplugged Coffee -

Richard first met Tessa at one of his organic coffee accounts, a dreamy restaurant (and Tessa favorite place) located in Topanga, CA called, “Inn of the Seventh Ray '' specializing in organic food. He had just sold his chain of coffee houses and wholesale business but, continuing to push the boundaries, decided to start another coffee business. Together they grew “Lucky Jack Coffee”  and introduced the concept of nitrogen-infused cold brew coffee, pioneering a trend that has since gone global.  

Fun fact: When Richard and Tessa were building their previous coffee business they were so committed to servicing their accounts they drove to their own wedding in their refrigerated truck, got married, then proceeded to deliver their coffee. That’s dedication!

As time passed, the business grew, and they no longer needed to manage the business themselves, they came to Whidbey Island to retire with their rescue dog, Henry, and immersed themselves into the Whidbey Island community, making great friends, enjoying nature, and that island life has to offer. 

In 2020, Gary Smith, founder of Mukilteo Coffee, reached out to Richard with an offer to begin roasting again. After viewing Mukilteo Coffee’s beautiful vintage roasters,  Richard gladly stepped back into the coffee world and still roasts for Mukelteo today whenever needed. 

Richard, being the serial innovator, had another idea “percolating” for a long time and also saw a need he could fill for his newfound and cherished community. There are too many k-cup machines on the island and too many power outages as well. The former contributes to more than 10 billion non-biodegradable plastic containers going into landfills each year. The latter can mean no coffee during those long dark days when the power is out. Thus Unplugged Coffee was born. A machineless, fully sustainable coffee concentrate made from 100% organic coffee beans. The company’s unofficial motto: “No Power, No Problem.”

“So many people want to just make one cup at a time, but a better cup, a more sustainable cup” 

In the world of coffee, few entrepreneurs have shaped the industry as uniquely as Richard, a former political journalist turned coffee visionary. His journey into the world of coffee began after he noted a void in Santa Monica's, CA  landscape—a lack of bookstore coffee houses. Eager to fill this gap, he opened the “Novel Cafe” just before the coffee house explosion of the 90s. However, he soon realized that while books attracted visitors, the allure of coffee stole the show. Within a year, he observed that his profits predominantly came from coffee sales rather than the books. This realization spurred his future into the world of coffee roasting.

The next part of his journey took him to Oregon, where he purchased his first coffee roaster and began focusing on sourcing and roasting top quality organic coffees. The company eventually became “Groundwork,” a significant player in the Los Angeles coffee scene. Groundwork embraced sustainable coffee and established coffee houses across the city, becoming a beacon for an organic cup. 

Unplugged Coffee officially launched in April 2023 and the pair's commitment to sustainability has become evident in every aspect of their product. They prioritize reusing and recycling by selling the coffee in glass bottles and implementing a bottle buy-back system. The business uses exclusively certified organic coffee beans. This choice is more than a preference—it's an acknowledgment of the harmful impact conventional coffee farming has on ecosystems and communities. Even the grounds and coffee bags from the coffee-making process are repurposed for landscaping, emphasizing the importance of organic quality. 

Reflecting on their journey, Tessa and Richard express immense pride in their impact on Whidbey Island's coffee drinkers. Their coffee concentrate has accrued vast praise from customers who find a cup of Unplugged coffee unmatched in taste and quality. Their main motivation to keep going is to witness customers' surprise and delight as they experience their creation. Word of mouth has emerged as the most potent marketing tool, with local supermarkets eager to carry their product due to employees' resounding endorsement.

As Tessa and Richard's impact on the coffee industry here on Whidbey grows, so does their passion for the perfect cup.

Be sure to try Unplugged Coffee by stopping by their booth at the Bayview Farmers Market, adding it to your Food Hub haul, or picking it up from the refrigerated sections of Payless, The Star Store, Clinton Food Mart, or the Goose market.