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Louisville · United States

Quills Coffee

Since 2007 · Nathan Quillo, Gabriel Quillo

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Overview

Quills was founded in 2007 in Louisville's Germantown neighborhood by social-worker-turned-roaster Nathan Quillo and his brother Gabe, who took hammers to a rundown building and did most of the remodel themselves. Nathan had developed his coffee passion by meeting students in local coffeehouses, and the original Germantown shop relocated to the Highlands in 2009. Quills now roasts in 45-pound batches on Main Street in Louisville, runs eight cafes across Louisville and downtown Indianapolis, and entered a strategic partnership with Soterra Capital in January 2024 to support continued expansion.

Known for

  • Best Coffeehouse in the Mid-US at Coffee Fest Chicago in 2015
  • Brothers Nathan and Gabe Quillo did most of the original 2007 remodel themselves
  • Small-batch hand roasting in 45-pound increments on Main Street, Louisville
  • Entered strategic partnership with Soterra Capital in January 2024 to support expansion
  • Brand staff Michael Butterworth and Brian Beyke (of @AbandonCoffee Instagram fame) are nationally recognized barista figures

Why it matters

The flagship specialty roaster in Kentucky and one of the best-developed mid-South operators — Quills carries serious technical credibility (USBC competitor lineup, Coffee Masters semifinalist) into a regional footprint that includes Indianapolis, not just home turf.

Production

destoning
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head roaster
Justin
color sorting
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roaster machine
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filter equipment
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cupping frequency
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roastery location
800 E Main Street, Louisville, KY
espresso equipment
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annual volume tonnes
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Café

Multiple Louisville locations (flagship at 802 E Main St) plus one Indianapolis cafe

Recognitions

  • Best Coffeehouse in the Mid-US — Coffee Fest Chicago (2015)

Sources

More roasters