Our Story
Built on antique roasters and New Orleans roots.
From king cakes to specialty coffee, from the Gulf Coast to neighborhoods across New Orleans. CR Coffee exists because Kevin Pedeaux wanted coffee that actually tastes right.
The beginning
From king cakes to coffee.
Kevin Pedeaux started as a sales representative for Randazzo's Goodchildren's Bakery, delivering king cakes to coffee shops around New Orleans. While making those deliveries, he discovered specialty coffee and got serious about the craft.
After a career in TV news, he and Shawn Montella co-founded Coast Roast Coffee in 2009 with a vision: roast exceptional coffee on authentic equipment, and get it to the customer fast and fresh from the roaster. They sourced antique 1910s Royal No. 6 drum roasters and set up on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, putting some of the only century-old roasters still working in the country back into service. Those same Royal No. 6 roasters are still in use today, slow-turning every batch to coax out natural sweetness the way industrial roasters can't.
Today the partnership is simple. Shawn owns and runs the roastery on the Gulf Coast. Kevin selects every coffee CR pours and sells, runs the shops in New Orleans, and handles Coast Roast's wholesale, supplying custom blends to over 100 shops nationwide.
The years
Kevin Pedeaux and Shawn Montella co-found Coast Roast Coffee on the Mississippi Gulf Coast with antique Royal No. 6 drum roasters.
The first CR Coffee Shop opens inside St. Roch Market in New Orleans, bringing coast-roasted coffee to the neighborhood.
Coffee With Kevin launches on YouTube. The interview show becomes a platform for conversations with the people who make New Orleans work. Now 130+ episodes strong.
CR Coffee opens on Magazine Street in Uptown New Orleans.
CR Coffee comes to MSY Airport, welcoming travelers as they leave and arrive in New Orleans.
CR Coffee opens in Old Metairie on Metairie Road, bringing antique roasted coffee to the East Bank.
The Crescent Room, a private meeting room inside the Magazine Street shop, opens for online booking.
Who we are
Neighborhood coffee, no pretension.
CR Coffee isn't about gatekeeping. We're about good coffee for everyone. We're about knowing your name and remembering your order. We're about being part of the neighborhood.
We celebrate the people of New Orleans: the business owners, the artists, the hustlers, the dreamers, the folks just trying to get through the day with a good cup of coffee. No pretense. Just authentic coffee.
The experience
Walk in, slow down.
The first thing you notice is the smell: fresh-roasted coffee, ground right before it hits water. Every batch starts on century-old Royal No. 6 drum roasters and lands in the brewer the same week it's roasted. Not the same month, the same week.
The menu is short on purpose. Fewer drinks means more attention to each one. Espresso pulled with care. Drip coffee that actually tastes like something. Cold brew with body. Every syrup is house-made with real vanilla, raw Louisiana cane sugar, fresh ginger. They're built to work with the espresso, not cover it up.
Order at the counter or skip the line entirely through CRCoffeeNOLA.com. Your cup is labeled and waiting at the back-door pickup window. Grab a seat on the Magazine Street porch, or just get in and get out with something great in your hand. No fuss. No fifteen-step customization. Just honest coffee, ready when you are.
Three things at once
A coffee shop, a roasting partnership, an online brand.
CR Coffee Shop is three things at once. It's a neighborhood coffee shop with locations across New Orleans. It sells Coast Roast Coffee, roasted in small batches on antique 1910s Royal No. 6 drum roasters on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. And it's an online coffee brand shipping fresh-roasted beans nationwide. Founded in 2015 by Kevin Pedeaux at St. Roch Market, CR Coffee serves Coast Roast Coffee exclusively.
Common questions.
What is CR Coffee known for?
CR Coffee is known for serving coffee roasted on antique 1910s Royal No. 6 drum roasters. Every batch is roasted slowly on century-old equipment, resulting in a naturally sweeter, smoother cup. All green beans are sourced through the Port of New Orleans. CR Coffee operates as a neighborhood coffee shop across New Orleans and an online brand shipping nationwide.
Where can I get coffee at the New Orleans airport?
CR Coffee is inside Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY). Hours vary by terminal schedule.
Does CR offer wholesale coffee?
Yes. Coast Roast Coffee is available wholesale for restaurants, offices, and retailers. We supply custom blends to over 100 shops nationwide. Contact coastroastcoffeestroch@gmail.com for details.
Come see us.
Find your shopMagazine Street · St. Roch Market · Old Metairie · MSY Airport