Opus Coffee

Opus Coffee is a family-owned and operated roastery established in 2002 by brothers Tim and Bret Larson. Founded as a place for the Gainesville community to come together and enjoy sustainable, meticulously crafted fresh coffee, Opus has grown from its beginnings in local Gainesville hospitals to multiple locations throughout the city. The company is deeply committed to providing the highest quality coffee through a thorough and precise selection process. Their approach begins with creating sample roasts of prospective coffees, roasting each in several different ways to understand the full potential of the beans. During roasting, the beans undergo a metamorphosis, darkening in color and developing complex flavors. The team meticulously evaluates each roast through careful tasting - spooning, slurping, and swishing coffee to discover which roast level brings out the ideal flavors and complexities they seek. Detailed notes and temperature graphs are recorded to ensure the exact replication of ideal roasts. Beyond crafting exceptional coffee, Opus Coffee is dedicated to community involvement. They describe their cafes as an "oasis" for customers while pursuing their passion of providing the best possible drinks from bean selection to cupping. The company actively participates in local hospital fundraisers, caters annual charity events, and donates to Shands Cancer Center, demonstrating their commitment to giving back to the community that supports them. The leadership team includes co-founders Tim and Bret Larson, along with COO Katie Larson who joined in 2021. Tim focuses on new business initiatives, community engagement, and financials, while Bret leads the roasting team and develops relationships with coffee growers, visiting farms and learning about their growing processes. Opus Coffee has expanded beyond their initial hospital locations to include their mobile airstream and Innovation location, bringing their craft coffee to a wider audience. Their coffee can now be found in many favorite Gainesville spots, including the award-winning restaurant, Spurriers. The company attributes their success and growth to maintaining a work environment where skilled baristas can flourish while providing faithful customers with unparalleled service and the highest-quality products.