Our recurring round-up of the newest specialty-coffee trade information.
FROM STAFF REPORTS
Featured picture by Joshua Earle
In $1 Billion Deal, Abu Dhabiโs Mubadala Funding Firm Broadcasts Stake in Luckin Espresso
Alongside controlling shareholder Centurium Capital, Abu Dhabiโs Mubadala Funding Firm has introduced a big minority funding in Chinaโs Luckin Espresso, in a transaction valued at about $1 billion USD. โWe proceed to see compelling long-term alternatives in Chinaโs client sector,โ statedย Mohamed Albadr, Head of Asia, Personal Fairness at Mubadala.ย
Based in Beijing in 2017, Luckin Espresso has grown to over 35,000 shops globally and opened their first United States location in New York Metropolis in 2025. Mubadala and Centurium Capitalโs funding in Luckin coincides with a higher technique to develop into the espresso enterprise, as Centurium acquired Blue Bottle from Nestlรฉ early this 12 months.
Seattle Baristas Get well Extra Than $1.8 Million in Lawsuit Over Pay Violations
Seattle information outlet King 5 reviews that, after a 17-day trial, a bunch of 70 baristas had been victorious in a lawsuit over pay violations. In consequence, the group recovered greater than $1.8 million USD in damages from Washingtonโs Beehive Espresso.
Within the lawsuit, former baristas alleged that the corporate proprietor didnโt concern paychecks for a number of years and didnโt precisely monitor worker hours. โIt was crucial for us to come back collectively and let him know that thatโs not okay, and we see what youโre doing and we receivedโt stand for it,โ stated former worker Mykie Tolliver. โI hope that this conjures up folks to take the following step in ensuring that all the pieces is honest for everybody.โ Click on right here for the complete story.
Espresso Mission New York Opens Higher East Aspect Location With Free Espresso at Grand Opening on 9/20
New York Metropolis roaster, retailer, and schooling hub Espresso Mission New York has introduced that their new outpost on Manhattanโs Higher East Aspect can be open to the general public this week. Positioned at 1219 1st Avenue (at 66th Road), the shop joins the modelโs rising portfolio of eight areas throughout Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn. A grand opening celebration can be hosted on the retailer on September 20, 2026, with free espresso obtainable for company till 12pm.
Grounds for Well being Celebrates 30 Years of Work + Hosts Annual Espresso Public sale September 23-24, 2026
This 12 months, nonprofit Grounds for Well being is celebrating 30 years of labor in coffee-growing areas and can be internet hosting their annual inexperienced espresso public sale from September 23 to 24, 2026. Funds from the public sale will assist the groupโs efforts to supply crucial healthcare to girls in espresso farming communities.
Up to now, the group has raised greater than $1 million since its first public sale in 2009. This 12 monthsโs espresso lineup will function the public saleโs first espresso from Vietnam, donated by Brooklyn, N.Y. espresso importer Crop to Cup. To study extra and signal as much as bid, click on right here.
Los Angelesโ Asteroid Vinyl Cafe is Looking for Donations to Proceed Operations
Positioned in Inglewood, Los Angeles, Calif., report retailer and specialty-coffee store Asteroid Vinyl Cafe is at present elevating funds to get the permits they should proceed working. Opened in 2024, the institution was the primary report retailer to open in Inglewood in over thirty years, in addition to the primary Latino-owned specialty-coffee store within the metropolis.
โWe love this metropolis, we love music, and we love espresso,โ Asteroid house owners Mars Galvez and Joe Fleming, whoโre each from Inglewood, wrote on their GoFundMe web page. โBored with having to go away our neighborhood to seek out cool locations to buy, pay attention, collect, and expertise issues that felt like us, we created Asteroid.โ Click on right here to study extra and make a donation.
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