Three years ago, Dean's Beans entered an exciting new chapter when our founder, Dean Cycon retired and we became a 100% worker-owened cooperative.
Some days it feels like yesterday. Other days, it feels like we've alwas worked this way.
We're celebrating this cooperative anniversary with full hearts and pride in our company. We're grateful for the opportunity to carry this company forward together, grateful for the incredible coffee farmers we've partnered with for decades, and grateful for every one of you who has made Dean's Beans Organic Coffee part of your daily routine.
As we looked around the Beanery recently, we realized just how much life has happened over the last three years. Families have grown. New babies have arrived. A few four-legged friends have become unofficial Beanery mascots. We've celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, and graduations. We've learned new skills, taken on new roles, and discovered talents we didn't know we had.
Through all of these changes, Dean’s Beans hasn’t lost sight of our mission or values. We still:
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Source 100% organic, Fair Trade, shade-grown coffee from farming partners we've worked with for years.
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Roast every batch with care right here at the Beanery.
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Believe specialty coffee can be a vehicle for positive change, connecting people across continents, one cup at a time.
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Do everything we can to protect the environment and our planet, in the coffeelands and right here in our “beanery” operations.
Thank you for being part of these first three years of worker ownership. Whether you've been brewing Dean's Beans since the early days (1993 anyone?) or discovered us recently, you're part of our story, and we couldn't be more grateful.
One question we hear all the time is, "Where's Dean?"
Dean is enjoying retirement in his own unmistakable way. He's traveling, writing award-winning historical fiction, and spending time with family. Every now and then, he stops by the Beanery to catch up, swap stories, and remind us how this whole adventure began. Dean also serves on our board of directors, so we still benefit from his wisdom and vast experience.
When we asked him what it’s been like watching Dean’s Beans continue to grow over the past three years he told us:
“I’m thrilled beyond imagination about how Dean’s Beans continues to develop. The worker-owners have stepped up to the plate so successfully. They are carrying the company mission and commitment to the coffee farmers and the environment with pride, which makes me very, very happy.”
Dean invites you to follow him on Instagram and Facebook @deancycon.
Hearing that from Dean means a lot to all of us. We feel incredibly fortunate to be stewards of the pioneering work he started, and we’re excited to keep building on it together.
Here’s to the next three years and many more!
With gratitude,
The Dean’s Beans Team