H and H Coffee

Dedicated to the history of the Hoffmann-Hayman Coffee Co. founded 1899 in San Antonio, Texas.

Local Coffee Founders (formerly Local Coffee → Merit Coffee)

San Antonio specialty coffee institution launched 2009 by Robby and Neesha Grubbs. Widely credited as SA’s entry point into the specialty coffee wave. Grew to 11 locations + a roasting company, rebranded to Merit Coffee in 2018, sold in February 2020. Robby and Neesha retained the Pearl location and the “Local Coffee” name, now operating as Local Coffee Founders.

Founding

Robby and Neesha Grubbs planned the café at their kitchen table in 2008, originally targeting Austin. When the recession hit they pivoted to San Antonio — which was, by their account, “seriously lacking” in specialty coffee at the time. They sold everything and opened Local Coffee in 2009.

Robby’s background: Opened the first Starbucks in Texas (Plano, 1994), then left coffee for family business, real estate, and homebuilding in SA and Austin before returning with Local.

Business partner and CFO: Bill Ellis.

Growth and roasting

By 2018 the company had grown from 1 to 9 cafés. Merit Roasting Co. launched in 2015 with consulting from coffee writer Scott Rao.

Roaster equipment progression

  1. Probat P12 — initial production roaster
  2. Probat 25 — mid-scale upgrade
  3. Reconditioned Probat from Germany (larger) — arriving mid-2018

Director of green coffee: Jamie Isetts, former trader with InterAmerican Coffee.

Sourcing evolution

Originally sourced exclusively from Cuvee Coffee (Austin). Robby credited Cuvee founder Mike McKim with teaching customer engagement through education rather than intimidation. Later became multi-roaster, adding Counter Culture and Intelligentsia as guest offerings.

Equipment in newer locations

Modbar systems for espresso and pourovers, replacing earlier Fetco and French press setups.

Rebrand to Merit Coffee (2018)

Rebranded as Merit Coffee in December 2017 / January 2018, opening first Austin location at 222 West Ave (Seaholm District). All SA locations followed. Expanded to Dallas as well (11 total locations at time of sale).

Sale and retention (2020)

Sold the Merit Coffee company in February 2020. Robby and Neesha retained:

  • The Pearl location (302 Pearl Parkway, Ste 118)
  • The “Local Coffee” name
  • Added “Founders” to the name

Current — Local Coffee Founders

Address: 302 Pearl Parkway, Ste 118, San Antonio, TX 78215
Phone: (210) 530-1004
Hours: Mon–Fri 6:30am–8pm · Sat–Sun 7am–8pm

Current coffee partners

  • Good for Nothing Coffee (GFN) — local SA roaster; exclusive house blend “Everyday” (notes: marshmallow, chocolate, toffee)
  • TAG Coffee Co. — local SA roaster; founded by Sarah and Levi, inspired by Local Coffee’s 2009 opening; donates 50% of profits to children’s shelters

Food sourcing

Milk from Mill-King Market & Creamery (McGregor, TX); ice cream from Lick Honest Ice Creams (Austin); pastries by Pullman Market Bakery.

Significance for H&H research

The Grubbs’ 2009 entry positioned SA as a specialty coffee city for the first time. The Merit Roasting lineage (Probat P12 → 25 → reconditioned German Probat, Scott Rao consulting, InterAmerican-sourced green coffee) is the most detailed roastery-building record in the SA coffee wiki to date. The mention of SA being “seriously lacking” in specialty coffee as late as 2009 is also useful context for understanding H&H’s commercial era.

See also

  • [[sa-coffee-roasters]] — SA’s longest-running roaster since 1979; contrast with Local/Merit’s 2009 specialty-wave entry
  • [[brown-coffee-co]] — Aaron Blanco, also founded 2005; contemporary specialty era
  • [[shotgun-house-roasters]] — next generation after Merit; near Westside 2018
  • [[hh-coffee-factory]] — historical SA coffee context (stub)