New Love Coffee, founded by husband-and-wife duo Ike and Tiffany Bubna, began as a pair of pandemic-inspired endeavors. Tiffany rekindled her passion for baking, while Ike delved back into his love for coffee by roasting beans at home.
“I had a 1-pound coffee roaster set up in my garage, and I roasted over 500 batches while developing the coffee for New Love before we opened our shops,” Ike recalled. “It took a lot of time, sharing my brews with friends and reflecting on what I enjoyed about coffee shops. It truly became a new love.”
In 2022, Tiffany pursued pastry school at Spokane Community College, coinciding with the opening of New Love Coffee’s inaugural location and coffee roaster in Liberty Lake. Since then, the Bubnas have expanded their venture by acquiring Bean & Pie and launching two additional New Love Coffee locations in Kendall Yards and north Spokane. Looking ahead, they plan to introduce an online store and sought a creative wholesale partner, ultimately teaming up with Zags Collective. This partnership ensures that every purchase supports Gonzaga University’s student-athletes through a name, image, and likeness initiative.
“Partnering with the Zags was a no-brainer,” Ike stated. “It’s a fantastic brand, and I love their sports teams, so being able to support them is meaningful.”
New Love Coffee prides itself on creating inviting spaces where patrons can enjoy quality coffee alongside sweet or savory pies. Ike aims to introduce newcomers to the world of coffee without overwhelming them.
“I want to bridge the gap from sugary drinks to a genuine coffee experience,” Ike explained. “All our coffee is single origin, but we strive to keep it approachable and unpretentious.”
One notable feature of New Love Coffee is the absence of blenders. Ike made a deliberate choice to forgo blended drinks, prioritizing a serene atmosphere that fosters conversation between baristas and customers.
Ike’s journey in coffee began in 2005 when he joined Starbucks. While he appreciated the community-centric approach of the company, he grew disillusioned as it shifted away from that ethos. His subsequent experience included working with various coffee businesses in Seattle, including a nonprofit focused on supporting at-risk youth—a model he hopes to implement at their Francis Avenue location in the future.
“If I’m going to create an internship program, I want to ensure we have the capacity to train individuals at a drive-thru,” Ike noted.
At all New Love Coffee locations, customers can enjoy baked goods from Bean & Pie. After acquiring the business, Tiffany has introduced new flavors, emphasizing seasonal ingredients through collaborations with LINC Foods. However, her personal favorite remains the cran-raspberry pie.
“The cran-raspberry pie is what convinced us to buy the business,” Tiffany shared. “We ordered it for Thanksgiving, and it was so incredible that we knew we had to have it.”
As New Love Coffee continues to grow, Ike and Tiffany remain committed to their vision of creating a warm, welcoming environment for coffee lovers and food enthusiasts alike.
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