OUR STORY
Dandy Lion Coffee Roasters started with a simple belief: great coffee should be approachable.
Long before there was a roastery, a wholesale program, or thousands of pounds of coffee being roasted each year, there was a curiosity about what makes a truly great cup of coffee. What began as a passion project in Charlie's garage gradually grew into something bigger as friends, family, and neighbors kept coming back for more.
As the business grew, so did the vision. Dandy Lion wasn't built to be another specialty coffee company focused on exclusivity or coffee snobbery. Instead, we set out to create coffee worth slowing down for—coffee that's carefully sourced, thoughtfully roasted, and enjoyable whether you're a lifelong coffee enthusiast or just beginning your journey.
Today, Dandy Lion Coffee Roasters serves homes, cafes, offices, and communities throughout Minnesota and beyond. While we've grown from those early garage-roasting days, our mission remains the same: to bring people together through exceptional coffee, meaningful relationships, and moments worth savoring.
We're glad you're here.
Meet the team behind your amazing coffee.
Charlie
Founder & Owner
In 2020, Charlie started roasting coffee in his garage simply because he loved it. As he shared bags with family, friends, and neighbors, the project took on a life of its own. What began as a hobby grew into Dandy Lion Coffee Roasters through genuine relationships, word of mouth, and a shared appreciation for great coffee. Charlie has always believed that coffee is about more than what's in the cup—it's about bringing people together. That belief remains at the heart of Dandy Lion and continues to shape the company as it grows.
Favorite Coffee:
Whiteout Blend
Cooper
Head Roaster
For Cooper, coffee has always been about people. He loves building relationships with customers, wholesale partners, and the local community, and believes some of life's best conversations happen over a great cup of coffee. Outside of the roastery, he's an ultrarunner, photographer, and graphic designer who is always looking for new challenges and adventures. Whether he's helping a cafe grow, telling stories through a camera, or exploring a trail, he enjoys creating meaningful experiences and genuine connections. He believes coffee is at its best when it brings people together.
Favorite Coffee:
Golden Hour
Ellie
Production Assist
Ellie keeps things running smoothly behind the scenes at Dandy Lion Coffee Roasters. From crafting cold brew and packing every Shopify order to managing warehouse operations, she's involved in nearly every step of getting coffee from the roastery to your doorstep. With six years of barista experience, she also leads barista training and helps cafes build coffee programs that serve exceptional drinks. Outside of Dandy Lion, Ellie is a full-time student midwife and a great cook who loves bringing people together around good food and good coffee.
Favorite Coffee:
Cafe Espresso