Our Story
Back of the Yards Coffee was founded in 2016 on the South Side of Chicago as one of the first vertically integrated Latine-owned coffee companies in the U.S. Every step—where and how our coffee is grown, using sustainable packaging, and building our home in the heart of the Back of the Yards neighborhood—has been thoughtfully curated from the beginning.
Our founder, Jesse Iñiguez, was born and raised in Back of the Yards, a neighborhood too often defined by its struggles rather than its strengths. Growing up, there wasn’t a single coffee shop where people could gather—just headlines focused on violence and hardship. But Jesse knew there was more to this community than its challenges. He dreamed of creating a space where people could come together, celebrate where they’re from, and share a great cup of coffee with their neighbors.
Back of the Yards Coffee started by roasting small batches and brewing cold brew, selling it primarily at local farmers markets. People kept asking, “Where’s your shop?”That question fueled our mission to build the kind of coffeehouse that had never existed in the neighborhood before. With overwhelming community support, we crowdfunded over $17,000 to help open our first café—proving this was about more than just coffee. It was about building community and creating a space where everyone feels welcome.
Our Mission
At the heart of everything we do is our SEED Model, which guides our mission and coffee selection process:
- Social Impact: We hire locally, reinvest in our community, and create opportunities through scholarships, youth programming, and neighborhood initiatives.
- Economic Development: We support local businesses, contribute to the neighborhood’s growth, and ensure fair pricing practices for our coffee partners.
- Environmental Responsibility: We prioritize sustainability, from eco-conscious packaging to supporting environmentally friendly farming practices.
- Direct Relationships: We work directly with farmers in Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras, building transparent partnerships to ensure quality and fairness at every step. Locally, we collaborate with nonprofits and small businesses to strengthen our community and amplify our collective impact.
Once the beans arrive in the U.S., we roast them fresh and package each bag with care.
But it doesn’t stop at great coffee. Every purchase you make helps build a brighter future for our neighborhood and beyond. Together, we’re celebrating our roots, uplifting our community, and rewriting the story of Back of the Yards—one cup at a time.