Coffee lovers have a winner in their midst. Coffee Klatch has been named by the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) as a winner of the TOPS award for excellence in specialty coffee retailing for the current year. This award is given to only 35 of 10,000 coffee houses worldwide.

Ted Lingle, SCAA’s Executive Director, said “SCAA has created the TOPS program in which outstanding retailers and roaster-retailers are recognized for their pursuit of outstanding achievements in coffee excellence and education. It is a simple formula: accountability, plus standards, equals excellence. The TOPS program helps specialty coffee retailers like Coffee Klatch raise the bar of quality products presented in their own market place. All retailers of specialty products should realize that in the next millennium, good won’t be good enough anymore. If specialty coffee retailers are going to prosper in the future, they need to set their sights on excellence."

The TOPS program encourages retailers and roaster-retailers to take pro-active steps in a number of different areas: continuing education for the business owners; employee training; consumer education; support of specialty coffee origins; coffee promotion; and quality standards. The purpose of the program is to offer coffee retailers positive steps that lead them toward a more profitable business, and then recognize each year those retailers who are leading the field in building excellence into their organizations.

Mike Perry, Owner and Roastmaster for Coffee Klatch, says this is a huge honor to be one of only 35 coffeehouses in the world to receive this prestigious award, and one of only a handful to receive the award for the _5th year in a row. The Coffee Klatch, founded in 1993, is a roaster/retailer with locations in Southern California. Says Perry: “This is a tribute to a commitment by a dedicated group of employee’s to serve the best coffee in the world”.

This is the fifth year of the TOPS recognition program. Specialty coffee retailers must apply annually for the award which is given to those who demonstrate a commitment to excellence and standards established by SCAA. The SCAA congratulates Coffee Klatch.

About the SCAA

Founded in 1982, SCAA is the world’s largest coffee trade association with over 2,500 members. SCAA members are located in over 40 countries and represent every aspect of the specialty coffee industry, from coffee growers to coffee retailers. The SCAA’s mission is to be the recognized authority on specialty coffee, providing a common forum for the development and promotion of coffee excellence and sustainability. The SCAA’s dedication to excellence in coffee is realized through the setting of quality standards for the industry; conducting research on coffee, equipment, and perfection of craft; and providing education, training, resources and services for members. The SCAA’s annual conference is held in a different U.S. city each year and is the coffee industry’s largest gathering and exhibition. 7,000 participants attend dozens of workshops and round tables on a variety of timely topics, from cupping coffee to merchandising. The exhibition hosts over 800 trade booths.