08/14/2026
Rich and, Smitty from here. It’s roasting day, and it’s that time of year where you roast while you roast. 😂☕️
When I started Memoirs and made the move back from California, one of my biggest dreams was to find and help build a coffee community here on the East Coast like the one I had experienced out West.
Coming back to Knoxville wasn’t always easy. I met some people who saw coffee and immediately saw dollar signs/hollow validation. And honestly, that was discouraging.
But I also met some truly amazing people.
People whose hearts are in the right place. People who care deeply about coffee, but even more importantly, care about people. People who understand that community isn’t just a word you put in your marketing. It’s something you live.
Being farther from the ports and the resources I once had close by in California can make things interesting. What used to be a quick drive down the road can sometimes take a little more time and effort now. And that’s where this community has shown me what it’s really about.
We help each other.
We share what we have. We lend a hand. We answer questions. We support one another. We celebrate each other’s wins.
There’s no competition in that.
Just people with a genuine love for coffee, a genuine passion for what we do, and a genuine desire to see each other succeed.
I’ve always believed that if I’m able to help someone, whether they’re a friend, someone in the industry, or a complete stranger, I should.
And I’m incredibly grateful to be surrounded by people who believe the same thing.
This is the kind of community I dreamed about finding when I came back home.
And I’m thankful every day that I found it here. ❤️☕️
And speaking of community… come see Memoirs this Saturday at in downtown Knoxville from 9 AM–1 PM! Come hang out, grab some coffee, and say hello. We’d love to see you.
And if you’re looking for Smitty and the crew, you can find them this weekend at the Knoxville Tattoo Convention.
Different places, same coffee community. ❤️
Come support local, come say hey, and most of all, come be part of it.
