La Colombe: Brewing Community Beyond the Cup
Every company that gives back starts with a story, and La Colombe’s begins with founders Todd Carmichael and J.P. Iberti, who opened their first café in 1994 with one roasting machine and a vision to bring better coffee culture to America.
While its roots began in Philadelphia, the brand’s expansion into New York in the early 2000s helped make it part of the East Coast café culture we know today, giving it a strong local feel that resonates deeply with New York coffee lovers.
What makes La Colombe especially worth highlighting in this series is how intentionally that founder spirit extends beyond the cup. The company has invested in community cleanups, including efforts in New York City parks and shared public spaces, showing what it looks like when a brand gives back directly to the neighborhoods that support its cafés and customers.
It’s a beautiful reminder that local impact can start with simply caring for the places people share. Its work also extends to the earth through initiatives like its National Park Foundation partnership, where La Colombe committed at least $100,000 to help preserve America’s natural spaces while also composting thousands of pounds of coffee grounds to reduce landfill waste and support local ecosystems.
Beyond environmental efforts, La Colombe also ties its products directly to social impact. Its Lyon Blend, one of the brand’s signature roasts, supports hunger relief through a partnership with Feeding America. A portion of proceeds from this blend helps provide meals to individuals and families facing food insecurity across the United States.
Today, La Colombe is owned by Chobani, which acquired the company in 2023, but the founders’ original spirit of craftsmanship, hospitality, and community care still lives in the brand’s mission.
