CITY GIRL COFFEE REACHES BEYOND MIDWEST

Duluth roaster has made strides in recent years

By Kelly Busche kbusche@duluthnews.com

Alocally roasted coffee brand has hit the shelves of East Coast stores — while staying focused on its mission of empowering women.

City Girl Coffee is roasted and packaged in its building at 1330 E. Superior St. in Duluth, which also houses its sister brand, Alakef Coffee. Alyza Bohbot took over the company after her parents’ retirement, and the company’s seen growth under her leadership.

“As I was preparing to take ownership of the business, I knew that I wanted to honor the legacy of the company,” Bohbot said. “But I also wanted to create something that was more representative of me and my voice.”

Alakef has been around for around 30 years, and Bohbot took the helm in 2015. The chance to reach a new customer base influenced her decision to add City Girl to the company’s lineup.

City Girl sources its beans from womenowned companies, managed tribes and cooperatives. A portion of profits go to organizations that support women’s access to resources, financing and education that’s needed to be successful.

The idea to support women though City Girl sourcing and profits came during a conference Bohbot attended. There, she heard a story of a Colombian woman who struggled to secure a bank loan for her farm because of her gender.

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