About
Robbie Roberts has always been drawn to tactile processes
His first job was in newspapers, back when writers typed on typewriters and editors used a grease pencil, not a computer. He went to film school in the early eighties, shooting on actual film stock and editing his rough cut by hand, with a razor blade and tape.
Then 1991. Grunge and Seattle ruled the radio. The “World Wide Web” was nascent, the first website ever having just been created. Specialty coffee was still largely unexplored territory, especially in North Carolina. Robbie began honing a new hands-on craft, a process that would become his focus for the next thirty years.
Joe Van Gogh Is Born
Our first inclination, to partner with and become a part of our community, has endured and grown. No longer do we look for partners only in our neighborhoods. Instead, we’re engaged across North Carolina, across the country and across the globe — from where coffee grows to where it is enjoyed. We are a part of the global community of farmers, producers, and importers. We establish personal connections along the entire coffee supply chain.
Joe Van Gogh Is Born
Our first inclination, to partner with and become a part of our community, has endured and grown. No longer do we look for partners only in our neighborhoods. Instead, we’re engaged across North Carolina, across the country and across the globe — from where coffee grows to where it is enjoyed. We are a part of the global community of farmers, producers, and importers. We establish personal connections along the entire coffee supply chain.
The roof of the building where we roast is covered in solar panels. Our single-use cafe products are nearly all compostable. Robbie bought the first ever Loring Smart Roaster, the machine that has now become the industry standard for companies looking to reduce both energy consumption and CO2 emissions.
Built one customer at a time, Joe Van Gogh has grown from a single cafe in Chapel Hill where the coffee was roasted just inside the front door, to a complex company that approaches coffee from every angle. If you’re interested in coffee that is exceptional yet accessible, we can provide you with everything you need.
Need your coffee roasted to perfection?
Looking for one of our
Triangle-based cafes?
Looking for one of our Triangle-based cafes?
Want To Level Up
Your Barista Skills?
Our team of roasters, servers, technicians, and suppliers is here to help you wherever you are on your coffee journey.
In a world that is increasingly becoming more automated, we think there’s value in a human approach that continues to value real connections, face to face. One of the best ways to get to know someone, after all, is over a good cup of coffee. We’re here to share our craft and our expertise but also to listen. Reach out to us with your questions or feedback.
Let’s Talk!
Sustainability
Quality
