“I grew up in a commercial fishery and always want to support our commercial fishing families,” owner Melissa Thorsen-Broschat says. For Melissa, whose family goes back five generations in Southeast Alaska, fishing is the lifeblood of the state, so it was important for her to honor those who work in the fishing industry through her business, starting with its name.
“The word Highliner comes from the commercial fishing term meaning best of the best. Crews always want to get on a highliner boat because highliners
do well, take care of their crews and are usually pretty successful,” says Melissa. And just like the industry she so passionately supports, Melissa’s coffee aims
to be the highliner of coffees—the best of the best. Melissa and her husband, Perry Broschat, choose the finest, highest quality coffee beans and then small batch roast them with a unique hot air roasting process. The result is smooth, rich coffee without
any bitterness.
Though the shop’s current location has been home for many years, Highliner Coffee Co. first began 25 years ago as a simple coffee cart stationed outside O’Connell Bridge and fully run by Melissa. But when Sitka’s winter months had approached, Melissa realized she would need more than her specialty coffee to keep her warm.
“November rolled around, and I was really cold,” she says with a laugh. So she looked for a space for her coffee business and ultimately landed in their current location, where the cart has grown to include a drive-thru window, full kitchen, restaurant and made-to-order coffee roasting operation.
As much as Highliner has grown, Melissa’s desire to keep her food and coffee locally made has remained the same. Customers can pair a cup of coffee with
a flaky raspberry almond croissant or piece of sausage pizza, all made on site. For those who hope to take
a piece of Highliner home with them, shirts, mugs, bagged beans and chocolate bars featuring Highliner’s roasts are available. Regardless of whether you stop in for a drink, treat or souvenir, Melissa
and Perry’s coffee shop will give you a taste of what
it means to be a highliner.
To find the latest hours or place a coffee order, visit Highliner Coffee Co.’s website:
The Best of the Best
The smell of freshly brewed coffee isn’t the only thing that fills the cozy mocha-colored shop of Highliner Coffee Co., a centrally located coffee manufacturer and restaurant known for its locally roasted beans and handmade baked goods. Fishing photos highlighting some of Southeast Alaska’s best fishermen hang proudly, reminding patrons of everything Highliner stands for: gourmet coffee, made-from-scratch treats and support of Alaska’s fishing community.
As much as Highliner has grown, Melissa’s desire to keep her food and coffee locally made has remained the same. Customers can pair a cup of coffee with a flaky raspberry almond croissant or piece of sausage pizza, all made on site. For those who hope to take a piece of Highliner home with them, shirts, mugs, bagged beans and chocolate bars featuring Highliner’s roasts are available. Regardless of whether you stop in for a drink, treat or souvenir, Melissa and Perry’s coffee shop will give you a taste of what it means to be a highliner.
To find the latest hours or place a coffee order, visit Highliner Coffee Co.’s website:
DINING
"
Highliners
do well,
take care
of their
crews and
are usually
pretty
successful."
35