Some may say they’re running on caffeine and maybe so. Yet when talking to the minds behind Seed 2 Cup Coffee, Alan Allen and Lisa May, their passion for the bean becomes clear.
The local couple has recently launched a business they are thrilled to be sharing with the community and coffee lovers alike.
“Our focus is really just about the drink,” May said of their vision. “It’s really about the coffee. It’s really about the wine and the story behind it. To be educational as well. To tell the story from the seed to the cup. My hope is to be able to take the pretentiousness off the wine, off the coffee and think about where that came from.”
May and Allen further noted on their practice as responsible owners, partnering with growers and roasters who treat their workers well ethically and financially. Spending much time researching and talking with those they’ve partnered with.
“It’s coffee with a conscience. It’s thinking about your food,” May said. “Being able to enjoy something really good and thinking about where it comes from.”
“We have multiple roasters because we do different things,” Allen said of Seed 2 Cup Coffee, noting their beans are currently available for purchase at Medlen’s House of Beef and Giddy Up Nutrition in the Oakdale area.
With a storefront location secured on East F Street, the couple is anxious to share and educate customers on coffee, as well as wine. The wine portion, however, will have to wait. As the location is under construction, they are going full steam ahead offering their roasted beans in local shops as well as pop-ups around Oakdale selling brewed coffee as well.
“The easiest way to engage in a conversation generally, is over a drink of some sort,” Allen stated. “In America it happens to be a cup of coffee.”
A self-described “entrepreneurial spirit,” Allen shared he has also been taking advantage of volunteer opportunities, as well as events throughout town.
“At the end of the day, I’m a yes guy,” Allen said regarding taking on some events last minute. “I’d rather say yes and only be able to do with limited things, than say no and not have the presence.”
His love of the hustle will likely be the winning blend for the passionate educators as Allen maintains a career as a contractor and May a longtime position as a hair stylist. Yet their passion and their vision are strong. The duo shared as they await completion of the storefront, Allen is the front man for the coffee, with May serving in a support role.
Admittedly May has a passion for wine and had started taking classes for a sommelier, before they launched the business. She enjoys sharing her education and passion with clients, friends and Allen as well.
“Even though I wasn’t a foodie I understood the concept of wine and how it affects food,” May said of her experience during the education, noting travels to wineries and sharing the art of pairing food with the proper wine with her partner.
Yet until the space is ready, coffee will remain the center focus.
“It’s our coffee,” Allen said of the product served at events and pop-up. “Everything is freshly roasted.”
“Definitely want to do pop-ups,” he continued. “We’ll also be at Escalon Farmers Market. We’ll have our coffee beans there for sale and our signature cold brew.”
The avid go-getter, Allen stated until the doors are open for their storefront, he’s more than happy to offer delivery within the City of Oakdale. A menu with a QR code and pricing can be found on their Instagram page seed2cupcoffee, as well for their pop-up events.
“They can also DM us and I’d be happy to deliver it,” Allen said of the coffee beans. “We’re going to limit our deliveries to just the City of Oakdale at this time.”
As for why Oakdale the answer for the couple was simple.
“We chose Oakdale to be able to benefit the community, serve the community and be active in the community,” Allen said. “We love this town.”
