Heimy Gonzalez and Oscar Quintero Cof

Heimy Gonzalez and Oscar Quintero opened Cof&, a Colombian coffee shop in Bellingham, WA, in 2018, aiming to connect local consumers with high-quality, fair-trade coffee from the Santander region. They chose Bellingham for its vibrant coffee culture, having visited regularly and considering it a safer option compared to their home in Colombia. Quintero explains that most of their customers are locals interested in experiencing Colombian culture, rather than Colombian immigrants. Cof& specializes in single-origin coffee, consistently earning high ratings from the Specialty Coffee Association, often achieving scores above 80, which is considered excellent. The business operates on a fair-trade model, paying farmers in Santander more than typical market prices based on the quality of their beans.

Gonzalez also creates and sells jewelry and fashion accessories from Colombian artisans, enhancing the cultural experience at Cof&. Their three children attend public schools in Bellingham, further integrating the family into the community. This business not only provides economic opportunities for the couple but also enriches the local culture by promoting Colombian heritage.