A VISION BEYOND COFFEE
Founder and roaster, Jared Marquez, was born and raised in South Lake Tahoe. After 21 years of being immersed in his hometown, he moved to San Diego where he spent the next 8 years developing personally and finding the tools to come back home and make Tahoe a better place. After studying community development and attaining his BA in Psychology (specializing in therapy and community interventions) he realized that starting a small business was the most strategic way to use his strengths and make a difference back home.
Coffee became the vehicle. Jared wasn’t a coffee drinker at the inception of the idea to start a business. Coffee seemed so boring and bitter, but his research led him to discover how diverse and delicious coffee could be if it was roasted differently.
After 3 years of research and continuing his education on his own, the heart and vision behind Refuge Coffee had become a clear plan, a powerful brand, and a distinct and excellent product.
Refuge Coffee continues to fulfill its original vision today, not only by providing excellent coffee for the South Lake Tahoe community to start the day with, but also by supporting the local community. Refuge Coffee sponsors TAMBA (Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association) events and trail-building, personally develops areas in South Lake Tahoe for recreational rock climbing, and sponsors and volunteers with SOS Outreach, a program that mentors underserved youth through snowboarding and skiing.
Refuge is about more than coffee. It’s about inspiring a better life, starting with the community of South Lake Tahoe. We are excited to touch your life in even the simplest way and we look forward to making a difference together.
Cheers,
– Jared Marquez
