Aroma Avenue Archives: History

Meet John Ellis

In 1908, a thirteen year old boy named John Ellis purchased the 54-year-old importing company he worked for. He renamed it after himself – John Ellis & Bro. Teas and Coffees – and it would go on to become one of the oldest family-owned and operated coffee roasters in the U.S.

I Was an Ellis Delivery Boy in the 1940s

Stafford K. is a former Ellis delivery boy who worked in John Ellis’ unique 9th St. coffee pot building during the 1940s. He reached out to us after enjoying a cup of Ellis coffee at his favorite local breakfast spot, and he was eager to share his incredible memories of the Giant Coffee Pot Building.