Blanchard's Coffee Co. News!

We've been very busy at Blanchard's Coffee Co. for the past few weeks and lots of exciting things are on the horizon. We really appreciate all of our loyal fans and followers and we want to keep you informed about all the neat stuff we're getting into... well maybe not all of it, just the PG-13 stuff!

First up, we're super excited to roll out this year's first RVA Barista Jam this Wednesday, February 23rd from 6-8:00pm at Ellwood's Cafe in Carytown. If you've never been to an RVA Barista Jam event you should definitely check it out. Baristas compete in the skills of their trade while we watch, drink good coffee and wine, and hob-nob with other coffee loving folks. Get all the details at the RVA Barista Jam website or email rvabaristajam@gmail.com with specific questions.

Blanchard's is showing up in some new spots, places we're VERY excited to partner with on various coffee projects. Some of the new places to enjoy a cup of fresh roasted Blanchard's coffee are still top secret but we'll tell you what we can for now. Mamma Zu's and Edo's Squid are now proudly brewing their own Mamma Zu's blend roasted here at Blanchard's; amazing food and awesome coffee, what a pair! You can buy our retail coffee beans at Tom Leonard's Market in the West End now, go check out our brand new coffee display front and center as you walk through the door; we're beside the beautiful pineapples! We are also providing retail coffee for Longhorn and Lager in Midlothian and Farm to Family wherever the bus goes! We're also happy to be brewing coffee at The Lounge Bar & Grill and Addis Ethiopian Restaurant in the Bottom. There are a lot more exciting places to have a cup of Blanchard's Coffee coming soon; we'll keep you posted.

Finally, we're hosting a silent auction benefitting the River City Cycling Collective that features wares of local artisans the evening of March 4th. We're also having a gathering with live music, coffee and good friends of coffee, get all the details at the Blanchard's Coffee Community Site.

We're looking forward to seeing you at all of these neat places and events. Come out, say hi and find out why we're the coolest coffee company in Richmond!

Faison School Shows us some Love

and we are proud to provide them with a bit of free coffee.

Over $1,000 Raised for Massey Cancer Center

We got a little press from the RTD over the weekend but the truly exciting part of this story is that over $1,000 will be contributed to the good folks at Massey Cancer Center.

David Blanchard might have been the most popular individual in Monroe Park before and shortly after the start of yesterday's race.

Blanchard, the owner of Blanchard's Coffee Co., was offering steaming cups of coffee -- "our regular breakfast blend" -- for sale on an unseasonably cold morning. Lines of customers formed early and never seemed to shrink.

"We can't keep up" with the demand, Blanchard said. "We'll be brewing and pouring for six straight hours. We'll sell every cup of coffee we can make."

And they made a lot. Blanchard performed a quick mental calculation: "Let's see -- three brewers brewing seven pots an hour. That's 21 pots multiplied by six hours. That's about 70 gallons of brewed coffee." An after-the-fact assessment put the total closer to 150 pots and 85 gallons. The suggested price: $1 per cup.

This was not entrepreneurial foresight. What is was, was philanthropy. Said Blanchard: "All of the money we make today -- and I mean, all of it; every dollar -- is going to the Massey Cancer Center," the race's designated charity.