Thomas Rhodes, owner of Zeke’s Coffee, loves theater. But like many, Thomas wasn’t finding jobs on the stage, which caused him to pick up a shift at a coffee shop. Over time, Thomas realized there was a unique opportunity in the coffee business. In 2005, Thomas started Zeke’s Coffee, working in one small room with the help of a few friends and his wife 12 hours a day using an eight-pound roaster that produced around 200lbs a day. Now Zeke’s roasts 1,000lbs a day, seven days a week.
Once a year Zeke’s evaluates which blends were successful and implore their knowledge and experience to try new combinations. Zeke’s strives to stick to their roots when naming new blends, almost all Baltimore themed. Zeke’s has transferred the same philosophy to all three of their locations; in Baltimore they have a blend called: “Charm City”, in Pittsburg: “Steel City”. In DC, the “Rhode Island Ave. Roast” is what we know in Baltimore as the “Harford Road Roast”. Uniquely, the DC location is referred to as a Coffee Lab: an idea that was inspired by the Baltimore location but took flight in DC. The Coffee Lab focuses on educating, inspiring, and giving the coffee experience to coffee enthusiasts and newbies. The originator of the idea, Ryan Schmitt, explained that so many people spend money on beer, wine, alcohol and coffee, but don’t have much background knowledge or accessibility for the tastes and experiences they are having. This same Coffee Lab practice will finally appear at the Baltimore location including classes and tastings this summer or early fall.
Much of Zeke’s popularity has grown from infusion in farmers markets, introducing so many people to the coffee culture and the “Zeke’s Experience”. Zeke’s coffee is fresh roasted every day, providing the experience in a myriad of locations: check out local farmer’s markets, try their coffee shop, or you can always order coffee at zekescoffee.net. Zeke’s coffee has even found its way into a Brewer’s Art coffee porter, featured at Bertha’s Mussels, Golden West Café, and the Wine Source (with growlers available).
The Roastery (located 3003 Montebello Terrace Baltimore, MD 21214):
Walking into the Roastery, aside from the obvious waft of coffee, “A Family Affair” plays across the room, another obvious fit for the family owned and run business. Greeted with a friendly and warm atmosphere, everyone in the vicinity creates an overwhelmingly happy culture—whistling and smiling (perhaps one of the effects of all the coffee consumption).
When you walk into the coffee warehouse you are immediately immersed in the roastery, a narrow room that at one time was the only room that made Zeke’s Coffee, with a room for packaging, the space resembles a mailroom. The third room is where the coffee is stored, and soon to come is the coffee lab.
The Coffee Shop (located 4607 Harford Road, Baltimore, MD 21214 :
Thankfully, Thomas realized the demand for not only the coffee, but the need to be surrounded by the experience. Not too far up from the roastery on Harford Road, is Zeke’s, The Coffee Shop. All walks of life doing all sorts of things: reading, talking, working, and of course: drinking coffee. People, especially locals, use this coffee house to meet longtime friends, have family breakfast gatherings, meet to share ideas, have intimate conversations, or meet for a coffee date, even the local UPS guy stops in almost every day for a cup of coffee. The space has a secret back area that’s quaint and perfect for the warm weather coming. The shop is quiet but still constantly moving, maintained by a cool and quirky staff.
Both breakfast and lunch options are plentiful and tasty. Of course there’s coffee, and tea, Italian sodas, and much more. You can literally buy almost anything that has to do with coffee: filters, makers, coffee cleaners, and the infamous Zeke’s mug. Almost everything is made fresh and daily. Meats, chesses, and salmon are hand sliced. Parfaits and eggs are made on site daily. Local food items are featured, such as Dangerously Delicious Pies, Diablo Doughnuts, and American Hearth Pastries.
