We opened in 2019 with a single roaster, four farm partners, and the conviction that Durango deserved a truly exceptional café.
From Portland Roastery to Durango Main Street
Elena Marsh spent seven years as a Q Grader at a specialty roastery in Portland — cupping thousands of lots, visiting farms in Ethiopia and Colombia, and developing the palate to tell the difference between a washed Yirgacheffe and a honey-processed Sidama in a blind tasting.
In 2018, she came home to Durango to care for her mother. She planned to stay six months. She found an empty 1920s storefront on Main Ave, signed the lease, and spent the next year converting it into Goldenrod Café — the place she always wished existed in her hometown.
Today the café sources directly from four farm partners, roasts on-site three times per week, and trains every barista as if they are becoming a craftsperson, not just an employee.
What We Believe In
Three principles guide every decision we make — from sourcing to service.
Traceability Above All
Freshness Is Non-Negotiable
The Guest Comes First
Come Experience It For Yourself
The best way to understand what we do is to pull up a chair, order a cortado, and stay for an hour. We'll take care of the rest.