Portrait Coffee’s Humble Beginnings & How They Partnered with Reach Records (Plated by Dads Live)

Marcus Hollinger of Portrait Coffee, he is the Senior VP of Reach Records, and co-founder of Portrait Coffee, a coffee shop in Atlanta, GA.

I know Marcus through both of our day jobs, I’m a journalist and he a behind the scenes mover at a record label. So we deal with each quite often in creating content and stories. I’m having Marcus on to discuss something we are both passionate about, the food & beverage industry.

1. Please explain to me your love of coffee and how that transitioned into a business idea for you?

2. I watched your video about the name Portrait Coffee. Essentially you are trying to capture this picture of Black History, paying homage to your ancestors, and providing a coffee alternative for black culture, and even more-so in Atlanta right?

3. The video mentions the different levels and hoops people have to jump through in the coffee hierarchy. Can you break that down a little more?

4. Portrait went through a bit of a rebranding, what was the reason?

5. Let’s talk about two of your collabs, the first one being the Foot the Bill Program with Vans and the second one the Unashamed Coffee with Reach records.

6. You guys just won Artisan of the Year for Slow Food Atlanta. What’s it like to be recognized in your city like that?

7. tell me about the location that’s coming. I know COVID kept pushing the opening date back right? What’s the whole story and plan there?

8. Once the shop is open, what’s the next plan? Do you have ideas of multiple franchises, a bigger production line?

9. You have flavors of coffee based on location and named after people: Rwanda, Peru, Costa Rica, Ethiopian, and Stacey, Toni, Barry, Founders. What is the significance in the names and locations of your coffee?

10. Lastly, how important is it to support local businesses and communities especially during the crazy times we’re living in now?

11. Plug Away