Austin-based Malone Specialty Coffee has expanded its presence by acquiring Black Sugar Caffe’s Round Rock and Cedar Park locations in February. Owners Paul and Donna Malone purchased the cafes from former owner Judy Lu, who also sold Black Sugar Caffe’s Georgetown location to Red Horn Coffee House and Taproom.
Paul Malone’s passion for coffee roasting began 12 years ago on the back deck of the couple’s home. After Donna Malone’s second pregnancy, her sense of taste changed, and she found store-bought coffee unsatisfactory.
“Donna was like, ‘This is terrible,'” Paul recalled. “She could taste all the defects in the coffee.”
Determined to create something better, the couple began selling roasted beans at farmers markets before launching three coffee trucks in Austin. Seven years ago, they opened their first brick-and-mortar shop in Wells Branch, moving their roasting operations there as well.
While the business is family-run, Donna Malone holds a 51% stake, making Malone Specialty Coffee a woman-owned company.
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