Coffee has an amazing ability to bring people together. Whether with studying, conversing or simply enjoying a good latte, coffee produces community. Edoardo Santi ‘22 and Evan Zietlow ‘22 hope to join the Covenant community and contribute to it by providing quality coffee on campus through their business, the Coffee Cartel.
Photos from Covenant Coffee Cartel’s Instagram Page
The Coffee Cartel endeavor actually began last year but coffee was only available through online ordering. Now the windows of the Coffee Cartel are officially open. With their espresso machine, french press, and pour-over equipment, they create almost any drink one might find at a typical coffee shop using the espresso blend from Goodman Coffee Roasters in Chattanooga. Be on the lookout for new items on the menu including cortados, named the “Halvorson Special” for being President Halvorson’s favorite drink. However, their true specialty item is an affogato: hot espresso poured over creamy vanilla ice cream. Santi and Zietlow take pride in this unique Italian dessert as something that really sets them apart from a typical coffee shop.
They’re also set apart by the fact that they serve everything out of their dorm room window on the north end of Mac. While last semester, coffee was only available through online ordering, now customers can walk right up to the window. Even if the window isn’t open, coffee is probably still available. Customers can always send a direct message over Instagram (@covenantcoffeecartel) or text the number posted by their window to double-check.
Santi and Zietlow said that their classes worked out perfectly, so one of them is usually around and ready to serve customers. For just an additional $0.50 (unless it’s for someone in Mac or Fivepoint Gardens), they will also deliver anywhere on campus. Rain or shine, these guys are serious about getting the coffee-lovers of Covenant their coffee!
Neither Santi nor Zietlow started this business as coffee-lovers. When they first began working on this “hobby,” as they referred to it, there were three of them. David Heath, the third member of their business was the coffee-lover while Santi and Zietlow were more interested in the business aspect. The three of them noticed that the campus was lacking in quality coffee and saw it as a unique business opportunity.
However, as they became immersed in the coffee world through the tutelage of Heath, YouTube, and another barista friend, Santi and Zietlow formed a new appreciation for coffee. This endeavor allowed them both to discover the joy of coffee, and now they run the Cartel because they want to share this joy with the people on campus.
They are hoping to expand their impact by hosting events and partnering with clubs on campus as much as is possible while taking COVID-19 regulations into consideration. Santi is excited about potentially starting “Gaming Saturdays” where the Coffee Cartel serves affogatos and people can come to play games on Saturday afternoons. They are also interested in working with clubs and bringing coffee to their events.
Be on the lookout for Instagram giveaways too. After reaching 250 followers, the Cartel gave away one free coffee to five people and five free coffees to one person. They’ve built quite the fanbase, even earning the support of Halvorson, and they plan to do another giveaway sometime soon.
For owners Santi and Zietlow, the Coffee Cartel is a fun hobby and way to stay connected with the community. While it may bring in some extra cash, both of them agree they do it for the love of coffee. Their hope is that this hobby will allow others to enjoy coffee as much as they do. Members of the Covenant Community are welcome to come by their window and taste their creations. The Coffee Cartel is excited to serve you.