Sometimes all it takes is one moment to change the course of a business. For Backyard
Beans that moment happened at the Lansdale Farmers Market in 2013 when Luis from Weavers Way Co-op approached our founders Laura and Matt Adams, with a simple but meaningful proposal. “Would you be interested in selling your coffee in our stores?”
At the time, Matt and Laura were roasting in their backyard and bringing their coffee to a local farmers market. No agenda, they just loved it. They were passionate about quality, sustainability, and connecting with their community. That simple question opened the door to our first retail partnership. In a way setting the course for what Backyard Beans would become.
We fondly remember the day our coffee first hit the shelves at Weavers Way in Mt. Airy. Matt was there and kneeled proudly in front of the very first shelf he ever ‘packed out’. Laura still recalls the moment we placed our first “large” coffee order from an importer to support the demand needed -1 bag of Sumatra and 1 bag of Guatemala – and we still work with importer Royal Coffee NY to this day. It was exciting, emotional, and full of meaning. That early support gave us confidence and momentum to make remarkably roasted coffee more accessible.
A Partnership Years in the Making
Our partnership with Weavers Way has grown steadily since then. With early features in The Shuttle and vendor spotlights as well as community demos. Weavers Way has supported us at every stage. They have stayed a consistent retail partner through both the calm and challenging seasons.
We have celebrated meaningful milestones together. In 2023 we helped create the Weavers Way 50th Anniversary Blend. We invited the Weaver's Way grocery team and any additional coffee fans on their staff out to our roastery to cup, compare and taste a wide range of prepared roasts we had thought best captured the Weaver's Way customers favorite coffee experience - it was a joy to have the team out and truly collaborate on what became a hit coffee at their stores. Launching Golden Anniversary blend as custom roast honoring five decades of local impact and seeing our coffee represent such a legacy was incredibly special and a moment we will always be proud of.
What Makes Weavers Way Special
Weavers Way is a member owned cooperative with locations in Mt. Airy, Chestnut Hill, Ambler, and Germantown. Each store is different from the next with its own unique feel. They offer all major grocery departments including fresh produce, deli, bulk, wellness,and frozen. What sets them apart is their commitment to reflecting the neighborhoods they serve.
Every store carries a unique product mix based on local needs. More than 50% of Weavers Way’s sourcing dollars go to local vendors within 150 miles of Philadelphia, including us!! Read more here.
A Full-Circle Moment in Ambler
Recently we took part in the local vendor event at the Ambler store. There were several full
circle moments. Watching customers grab a sample, take a sip, smile while saying things
like “Wow, that’s good coffee!,” was incredibly rewarding. Some even doubled back for seconds on their way to another table. Many shared personal stories about how they ship and gift our beans to family across the country. Others told us how much they love visiting our cafés, even mentioning our baristas by name.
Even more moving were the Weavers Way staff who told us how proud they are to work for a co-op that supports businesses like ours.It reminded us that this work is about more than coffee.
Brewing Better,Together
We have had the joy of seeing our coffee featured on Weavers Way’s social media with staff proudly promoting sales with humor and heart. Every time we see one of those posts, it feels like a small celebration of everything we have built together. Since our first day on their shelves Weavers Way has been more than just a retail partner. They have been part of our journey. We’re proud to work with a co-op that truly walks the walk when it comes to community support, sustainability, and local impact.
Here’s to our shared roots, continued collaboration, and the meaningful moments.
