How Leticia and Joel Pollock Built Panther Coffee into a Specialty Coffee Powerhouse

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TLDR

Some partnerships are built on passion, others on expertise. Leticia and Joel Pollock’s journey is a blend of both. With decades of experience in the coffee industry, the two met at a coffee convention and instantly connected over their shared vision for high-quality, specialty coffee. Their expertise complemented one another: Joel, a seasoned roaster and importer, and Leticia, a skilled coffee professional with a deep understanding of sourcing and roasting.

In 2008, while visiting Miami, they noticed something intriguing. The city had a rich coffee culture, but it was deeply rooted in Cuban-style espresso, with little presence of the specialty coffee movement that was thriving in other major cities. Inspired by the potential to introduce something different, the couple made a bold decision—they would move to Miami and build a specialty coffee brand from the ground up. Their plan was simple yet ambitious: to create a coffee company that would focus on carefully sourced, meticulously roasted coffee and exceptional service.

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Building Panther Coffee in Miami

By 2010, their dream started to take shape. They opened their first roasting facility and wholesale program in Wynwood, Miami, a neighborhood that was beginning to gain recognition as an arts and cultural hub. Shortly after, they opened their first coffee shop, offering Miami locals a taste of something entirely new. With a strong emphasis on transparency, sustainability, and education, Panther Coffee quickly gained a devoted following.

Word spread fast. Their commitment to quality, coupled with an inviting atmosphere, made Panther Coffee a standout in Miami’s growing coffee scene. Over time, Panther expanded organically, opening multiple locations across Florida and even launching a roasting facility in Traverse City, Michigan. Their approach to sourcing high-quality coffee from ethical farms worldwide, combined with their expertise in roasting, set them apart as true leaders in the industry.

Their success has been recognized globally. Panther Coffee was ranked #30 in the list of the 100 best coffee shops in the world, cementing its status as a major player in the specialty coffee industry.