5THWAVE Podcast - Forward-thinking series examining the business of progressive coffee culture

1 March 2024 | 37 mins

Episode 102: Building a specialty coffee business from the ground up – A conversation with Parlor Coffee

In today's "Coffee Entrepreneur" episode, we're speaking with Dillon Edwards and AJ Walzer, the team behind one of New York City’s favourite specialty coffee brands - Parlor Coffee.

In this conversation, Dillon and AJ discuss the evolution of the New York specialty coffee scene over the last 15 years, and their decision to prioritise wholesale expansion. They also highlight the need for innovation, elevating the customer experience, and the importance of empathy and shared values when building a business together.

Credits music: "Burn" by Grammy-winning artist Nicole Zuraitis in association with The Coffee Music Project and SEB Collective

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Guests

Dillon Edwards

Founder, Parlor Coffee

After working for legendary specialty coffee venues like Stumptown and Blue Bottle in New York, Dillon Edwards founded Parlor Coffee in 2012, originally as a pop up espresso bar in a Williamsburg barbershop. Soon the business was focusing on wholesale roasting and has today grown into a formidable NYC specialty coffee brand.

AJ Walzer

Chief Business Development Officer, Parlor Coffee

AJ Walzer’s has a background in political theory and economics, having worked for a Think Tank in Washington DC. From there, Walzer followed his love of food, cooking in kitchens in Montreal before moving to New York and connecting with Dillon Edwards at Parlor Coffee. Walzer joined Parlor in 2014, united by their shared vision.