This is part of a year-long ‘Love for Local’ series called NB365: portraits of New Brunswick entrepreneurs, businesses, and organizations. Huddle is a media partner with Love for Local. Today we feature Katie Martens and Carl Martens of Mill Town Roasters, in Fredericton.

MY GRANDFATHER, HANK, WAS THE ONE WHO STARTED THIS DREAM OVER 50 YEARS AGO WITH OUR SISTER COMPANY THE COFFEE MILL.

I grew up around hardworking entrepreneurs my entire life. The birth of Mill Town Roasters (MTR) was a shared love with my dad for all things coffee, travel, and of course, our community.

My dad and I have always enjoyed talking about our next great adventure over a hot cup of coffee in the community we love to call home. You know, they often say that some of the greatest ideas are discussed while consuming coffee. Coffee first, conquer the universe later.

After seeing the different, amazing coffee cultures in countries like Australia, Italy, France, and cities in the USA–how they seemed to turn a simple cup of coffee into an interactive experience–we knew we wanted to bring some of those same experiences back home.

That’s a big reason why we have an exposed coffee roastery where customers can tour, watch, and ask questions about the entire process of roasting coffee. Above and beyond this, this venture was something my dad and I really connected to, which later gave me the ability to put my own mark on this incredible company.

Having opened our downtown location only three months before the pandemic first hit, we witnessed first-hand how truly amazing our neighbours are and how our community has a real passion for rallying behind its local businesses. From government employees, office workers, university students, seniors, and destination coffee drinkers – we have felt nothing but love, support and encouragement since the day we opened our doors back in November 2019.

If it wasn’t for the amazing local support, we likely wouldn’t be open today, doing what we love.

While the past two years have been challenging for the employees as well as our customers, it has also shined a light on how resilient we as a community can be during difficult times. By supporting local, you’re helping to recycle hard-earned money back into the local economy, which in turn provides more jobs, community support and builds stronger interpersonal relationships with the wonderful humans of New Brunswick.

Supporting local shows that you care about the community you live in. When you invest in your neighbours, you’re helping all the people that live in your community to thrive.