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Russell Crawford takes a sip of Burundi coffee. Photo credit: Felcity Bosk

Lincoln Park’s business district is about to be a little more craftsy. Almanac Coffee will be roasting specialty coffee beans in the Duluth Folk School, located at 1917 W Superior St. The coffee will be served at Dovetail Cafe, opening this June. 

“I think it’s going to be something really good for the community and the coffee community to further push third-wave values which is what I consider myself to be a part of,” said Russell Crawford, owner and head roaster. “It’s all about the relationships with farmers, the customers, and the coffee.”

The Folk School is a place for people to take non-competitive classes in an array of areas. It also houses a number of artisan businesses like Duluth Kombucha and Glorud Designs. An upcoming class called “Coffee Cupping 101” will be taught by Crawford. Coffee cupping is when people drink multiple flavors of coffee in order to understand how to look at and taste coffees and then be able to communicate that experience. 

He said a goal of his roastery is to celebrate coffee in the Twin Ports. 

“Coffee in our society has become so thoughtless,” said Crawford. “A lot of people aren’t thinking about all the work it took for these beans to make it here to Minnesota. Part of my goal is to communicate and tell that story.”

Crawford wants people in the community to drink better coffee. He cited the Twin Port’s relationship to beer as a sign that this community embraces specialty beverages. 

“Celebrating coffee is a big part of what I want to see more of. If we look at the beer industry they have had a lot of recognition which is really good and quality has definitely increased here in Duluth and also Superior and that’s what I also want to see for the coffee industry.”

Almanac Coffee had been called Perennial Coffee, but Crawford has since re-branded his company. He hopes that once his roastery in the Folk School is up and running he will be able to have his coffee for sale at local grocery stores or tourist-oriented retail shops.