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Business & Tech

Coffee Roasted in Wyandotte Has French Connection

Local coffee roaster taught himself after searching for the perfect cup of java like he had in France.

Dearborn Heights resident Scott Goniea’s love affair with coffee began in France and turned into his business, Mi Fresh Roasted Coffee.

“I have good memories of sitting in a café with a certain French girl I fell in love with and fell in love with the coffee there,” he said.

After moving back to the United States, Goniea said it was nearly impossible for him to find coffee like he had in France. So began his pursuit to find the better cup of coffee.

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“I always knew there was better coffee out there,” he said.

That "better cup of coffee" came from his own do-it-yourself mentality, when he taught himself roasting techniques. Goniea roasts his beans in Wyandotte at the former Java Joes, 2919 First St., which is in the back of .

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A sculptor by trade, Goniea said he looked online and found a source for beans and learned how to roast his own. He began going to farmers markets last year, only participating in one a week and it took off from there.

Variety is the spice of life, or at least Goniea’s, which is why he often changes what he offers his customers.

“I enjoy getting something different," he said. "I enjoy travel and change in life and I’m imposing my zest for life on my coffees and business as well. There are thousands of coffees out there. For myself to be fixated on five coffees would be limiting. I want my company to represent a certain side of me.”

As the only licensed, insured roaster Downriver, Goniea only roasts the highest quality Arabica beans, all fair trade and a majority are organic. Goniea sells his goods locally at farmers markets in Wyandotte and Brownstown, but also has branched out to Clawson, Canton, Livonia and Novi.

Goniea said the , now in its second year, has enormous potential.

“It could easily be the one market Downriver that functions and draws huge amounts of people," he said. "There are plenty of things that Wyandotte does well and this is one of them. I do believe that this can function as a larger market, which can compete with other larger (metro Detroit) ones.”

Besides at farmers markets, Goniea’s coffee also is available at retail locations, including Total Health Foods in Wyandotte, Nate’s Market in Grosse Ile and Trentwood Farm Market in Trenton and Southgate. It also can be purchased through the company's website.

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