TAMPA, Fla – What started as a shared love for coffee has grown into something much bigger — an opportunity for others to turn their passion into purpose.
At Autonomy Coffee, coffee isn’t just brewed — it’s built.
Co-founders Tom Pestock and Jonathan Mitchell came together with a vision: create a space where anyone with a passion for coffee could learn the craft and take the first steps toward starting their own roasting journey.
What we know:
Inside the Tampa-based coffee lab, the focus goes beyond just a great cup.
The space is designed as a hub for creativity and education—giving aspiring roasters access to professional equipment, guidance, and a community of like-minded coffee enthusiasts.
From sourcing beans to dialing in the perfect roast, Autonomy Coffee provides the tools and knowledge needed to help turn ideas into reality.
It’s a concept rooted in collaboration—where beginners and experienced coffee lovers alike can experiment, learn, and grow.
Dig deeper:
Autonomy Coffee also operates as a café, serving up its own in-house roasted coffee to customers looking for a quality cup.
But for those wanting more than just a caffeine fix, the business offers hands-on classes covering everything from brewing techniques to the art and science of roasting.
It’s all part of the mission: making specialty coffee more accessible while empowering others to carve out their own path in the industry.
What’s next:
As interest in craft coffee continues to grow, Autonomy Coffee hopes to expand its reach — bringing more people into the world of roasting and helping launch the next generation of coffee creators right here in the Bay Area.
The Source: The Source: Information gathered through onsite interviews and observations at Autonomy Coffee and FOX 13 photojournalist Mike Hughes.
