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 Gourmet
Latte’ truly believes in providing their Customers with the best
tasting Espresso drinks, Frappes and Fruit Smoothies by only
using the best ingredients we can get our hands on. Our espresso
beans are freshly roasted by award winning Caffe D’arte whom
adhere to the strictest standards of excellence. Since milk is a
major component in the majority of our drinks, it was crucial
that we only use rBST-Free/Hormone free milk. Organic Soy milk
is also available upon request. Using top quality ingredients is
very important, but so is your experience when visiting us. We
do our very best to ensure our friendly Baristas are the best in
the business thru an on-going training program that never really
ends. We value relationships with our Customers so very much.
Seeing new faces along with our “everyday regulars” and going
through our daily lives together, makes this the greatest
business to be in.
Our Story~
It began in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, about 13 years ago,
with just a little idea. When I started my first espresso drive
thru business, it was right before the coffee culture explosion
and unfortunately, it was right after I had been laid off from
work. I was lucky enough to have had unemployment benefits, but
knew I needed to quickly figure out how I was going to support
myself.
Once a week I would allow myself the luxury of a Mocha Grande at
the family owned drive thru by my house. Back then I had the
energetic disposition needed to be a Barista and thought that
somehow,  someway,
I would make my career and my “mark” doing this. I couldn’t
shake it, and before long I had convinced my family that I could
take the drive thru concept to a newer level with consistently
delicious drinks and a place where every Customer was part of
our circle of friends.
It turned out that my
step Dad, Bill, had some faith in me and built, in his front
yard in Custer, WA. our very first drive thru. He didn’t tell me
he was building it until it was nearly ready, and of course
didn’t charge me a penny for his big surprise. It should be
noted that he was fairly new to being married to my Mom, so he
either built the stand out of his enormous faith in my abilities
or more likely, he wanted to get in good with his new Bride and
her daughter. Well he definitely did. He drove the building all
the way to its’ first location in Lynnwood, WA. and finished the
interior on site. He commuted back and forth for weeks finishing
the stand while I took care of obtaining all the permits and
researching everything “espresso".
As part of my research, I drove to downtown Seattle and stopped
in at a Caffe Darte store, sampling many different blends, I
chose them as my roaster right then and there on the spot. I was
simply blown away by how incredible and delicious the latte they
served me was. They’ve been my roaster from day one and continue
to be after 13 years. They went on to train me to be a
professional Barista and my Mom, gave me a crash course in
Business 101 as she herself was the owner of a small town
grocery store.
 We’ve
since grown to many locations and are always searching for more.
There are 60 or so great Baristas and Employees that keep me
energized and motivated. Bill has since passed away, but I know
he’d be proud. He was GL’s biggest fan.
The rest is a history
of very long hours, pride in ownership, good times and some
difficult times, perseverance, and accomplishments, and of
course all the friends we’ve made along the way. I love this
business with all my heart and am so grateful to everyone,
especially my Baristas, who helped turn my little idea into my
dream come true.
Karissa Bresheare
Gourmet Latte’ Inc.
Owner/President
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