Christopher Oppenhuis runs on coffee. After moving from Chicago to Kansas City, he developed the roasting operation at Second Best Coffee and served as director of coffee at Thou Mayest Coffee Roasters for almost six years. In 2019, he launched Marcell Coffee to supply custom blended, roasted and packaged beans to his Roasting Club wholesale members.
Next year, Oppenhuis will expand on his existing roasting space by adding a custom roaster, espresso laboratory and training station for wholesale partners. OLEO, his direct-to-consumer brand also in the works, will feature coffees conditioned in spirit barrels and other collaborations.
Here, the coffee connoisseur names three of his favorite local coffee shops and what he drinks at each.
Mildred’s
“I love supporting local family businesses, especially one with a strong focus on serving its community. At Mildred’s, I always get an espresso because it’s some of the most dialed-in in the city. By the time I finish that, my standard breakfast sandwich is ready at the counter.”
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Heirloom Bakery & Hearth
“I love the vibe and the quality of this Brookside bakery, which is also family-owned and -operated. We run the espresso program while Thou Mayest holds down the drip coffee. I always grab a tahini cookie at this spot – if you know, you know – and usually a drip coffee to-go.”
Blip Roasters
“Blip Roasters is the best example of how a brand is more than just the products it serves. Its dedication to community is second to none, and it’s one of the city’s best ‘third places.’ I get something sweeter like mocha or cascara on tap since I’m usually here later in the day for a meeting or a hang after I’ve had my morning brew.”
Pete Dulin
Writer Pete Dulin is the author of Kansas City Beer: A History of Brewing in the Heartland, KC Ale Trail, and Expedition of Thirst: Exploring Breweries, Wineries and Distilleries Across Central Kansas and Missouri.
