— Best Coffee Shop (multiple locations)
Heine Brothers
The Basics
Opened: 1994
Neighborhood: 18 locations throughout the region
Self-description: “Regional coffee-shop brand based in Louisville.”
Website: heinebroscoffee.com
Best of Louisville Stats
Total nominations: 17
Total wins: 13
First nomination: 1995, Best Coffee Shop
First win: 1997, Best Coffee Shop (an award they’ve won nine times)
The Voting Academy Says
“The Highlands Heine Bros., the one that used to be connected to Carmichael’s, was my first experience with a coffee shop in Louisville. Wow, things have definitely changed over the years, with so many incredible local places for coffee now.”
“In the early HB days, I helped co-owner and co-founder Mike Mays roast coffee at the original Longest Avenue store. On a blazing-hot July day in the mid-1990s, I helped him paint the interior of the OG Frankfort Avenue location and later danced on the counter, after hours, with my now-wife to the gorgeous Son Volt cover of the Ronnie Wood song ‘Mystifies Me.’ The coffee has always been good, the memories even better.”
We asked Heine Brothers to share something that says something essential about them…
“One of our two Loring Smart Roasters in action at our roastery in the Portland neighborhood. Coffee ignites the many connections made at Heine Bros, and it all starts here.”
Scroll Credits
Heine Brothers
Tens of thousands of visitors
&
Thousands of workers
Over the last 30-plus years
The late Tim Peters
Landlord at the original Longest Avenue store, who believed!
John Timmons
ear X-tacy founder, early and stronger supporter
Michael Boggs and Carol Besse
Team Carmichael’s, early and strong supporters
The late Rob Auerbach
Rainbow Blossom founder, early and strong supporter
The Center for Women and Families
For decades of consistent inspiration
Volunteers of America Mid-States
For decades of consistent inspiration
The Louisville Orchestra
For decades of partnership in coffee concert caffeination
Olmsted Parks Conservancy
For annual breakfasts and decades of partnership in stewardship
JK McKnight and the Forecastle Festival
For inspiration to launch the HB Airstream
Frank Wilson and Sam Winkler
Wilson and Muir Bank — for being supportive, steady and reliable
LIBA
For keeping it weird and keeping people focused on local
Julie McAfee and Jeff McAfee
Studio Threesixty — for inspirational store design
Cooperative Coffees
Our direct connection to coffee farmers all over the world
Jessica Lord, HB COO
For indispensable daily inspiration and growth-mindset leadership
Elizabeth Mays
Force of nature, behind-the-scenes steel in the HB spine