1911 Pacific Ave, Tacoma
253.572.9705
210 W Pioneer St, Puyallup
253.881.1445
This is the story about a little café that thought it could.
When Bryan Reynolds was thinking up business ideas to help his dad retire, he had no clue what a doppio con panna was. Simply put, coffee intimidated Reynolds. He was just a regular guy who wanted a cup of joe once in a while. But that obstacle didn’t stop him from learning the alluring lingo of coffee lovers and mastering the business of selling beverages and beans at Anthem Coffee and Tea.
The family business partnered with locally owned Dillanos Coffee Roasters to bring customers what it says are the best direct trade brews from around the globe. Anthem coffee is crafted with skill and passion, says Reynolds, Anthem’s owner and visionary. “It’s coffee with swagger. I’ve sampled some of the most amazing coffees on the West Coast, from Portland to San Francisco, and our product, when I first tasted it, blew my mind!”
Reynolds ran the downtown Puyallup Forza café and turned it into that chain’s No. 1 franchise five years in a row before he struck out on his own to establish Anthem Coffee and Tea. When the opportunity presented itself to fly the coffee skies solo, Reynolds purchased the Puyallup business and opened a second café in downtown Tacoma. “We turned on the lights on both locations as Anthem in November 2011,” he said.
In addition to serving its coffee loud, Pike Place Market style, with energy, heart and an extra shot of morning banter, the café also offers wine and beer. Exciting plans are under way for Reynolds to kick off an “Anthem After Five” happy hour concept at the two locations this summer. Anthem After Five is Reynolds’ foray into the bistro side of business—where fresh salads, gourmet sandwiches, specialty pizzas and creative appetizers can be enjoyed at the café with delicious wine and ale pairings.
TAMMY ROBACKER