Kings Peak Coffee Roasters

Address: 412 South 700 West, Suite 140

Telephone: 385-267-1890

Website: kingspeakcoffee.com

District: Poplar Grove

 

“We’re named after Kings Peak - the tallest mountain in Utah. It’s a fitting name because this journey has been all about reaching new heights.” Garland Ledbetter leans back, reflecting on the growth of Kings Peak Coffee Roasters. From opening their first shop in 2018 to a second location opened at the end of 2024, Kings Peak has become a beloved part of Salt Lake City’s coffee scene.

Garland and his wife, Brandy, started Kings Peak with a vision to bring high-quality, ethically sourced coffee to their community. The path to get there, however, was far from straightforward. Born on a military base in Mountain Home, Idaho, Garland grew up in a family that moved frequently due to his father’s career as an electrician in the oil industry. From Texas to Wyoming to Reno, Nevada, Garland’s childhood was marked by constant change, which shaped his adaptability and resilience. “We moved a lot, but my parents always emphasized the importance of hard work and family,” Garland shares. His father’s hands-on work ethic and his mother’s grounding presence influenced Garland deeply, instilling in him a sense of dedication and strong family values.

As a young adult, Garland explored various career paths, from working in office furniture installation to pursuing an electrician’s certification and later building industrial water filtration systems. These experiences honed his skills in problem-solving and project management, not realizing that it was also preparing him for one day owning his own business - but something was always missing. "I knew that I was lacking passion in my work life. I enjoyed what I was doing, but I never found it truly fulfilling.”

Meanwhile, Garland and Brandy’s relationship blossomed. They met as teenagers in Reno and became close friends during high school before starting to date in their early twenties. By the time they married in 1994 at the age of twenty-one, their shared commitment to building a family was clear. In 1996, they chose to move to Salt Lake City where several members of their family had settled. Together, they raised three daughters and a son, navigating the challenges of career changes and relocations while staying connected to each other and their children.

Brandy’s twenty-eight-year career with the airlines played a pivotal role in shaping their future. Her flight benefits allowed the couple to travel extensively, giving them unique opportunities to visit coffee farms and experience diverse coffee cultures. These trips became a turning point, especially when Garland discovered his love for coffee. “I didn’t grow up drinking coffee,” Garland admits. “But one day, a friend gave me an Ethiopian coffee that tastes like blueberries. It blew my mind. I had no idea coffee could have that kind of complexity.” Inspired, Garland began experimenting with home roasting, diving into the nuances of beans, regions, and roasting techniques. "I found myself going down the rabbit hole researching different coffees. I was shocked to learn that coffee could taste so different based on the soil." What started as a personal pursuit quickly grew into something more. “I’d roast small batches for friends, and the feedback was incredible.” Soon, he and Brandy were planning to turn that fervor into a business.

The first shop opened in an industrial area of Salt Lake City in October 2018. Garland and Brandy poured their hearts into building out the space themselves, crafting a cozy, welcoming atmosphere within the historic building’s exposed brick walls. Housed in a historic 1904 building, Kings Peak features a unique touch with Fountain Records located in the old vault, a relic from the space’s original use as a bank.

Despite its off-the-beaten-path location, the shop began attracting a loyal following. Interestingly, they are only a seven-minute drive from the airport, which has put them on the map for people looking for a stopping spot while awaiting their flights or simply picking up a cup of coffee on their way to catch their plane “Most days, we see suitcases perched next to a customer. It makes us happy to know that this is where people choose to hang out. They get dropped off here and then have a car pick them up when it's time to leave for the airport.”

When the pandemic hit in 2020, Kings Peak’s online business took off. Customers who could no longer visit in person began ordering coffee online, and Garland personally delivered many of those orders to local porches. “It kept us connected during such a difficult time,” he recalls. That online growth solidified Kings Peak’s presence and allowed them to continue expanding their offerings.

Today, Kings Peak sources beans from all over the world, including Costa Rica, Guatemala, Colombia, Rwanda, Indonesia, Brazil, and Ethiopia. Garland’s approach to sourcing is personal. During a coffee expo in Seattle back in 2017, Garland and Brandy met Marianella Baez, a Costa Rican farmer who co-founded the Farmers Project, a cooperative of small-scale growers. “Hearing her story and seeing the impact of direct trade was transformative,” Garland shares. Now, Kings Peak works directly with farmers, ensuring they receive fair compensation while fostering long-term relationships.

“We’ve visited farms, shared meals with farmers, and even picked coffee ourselves,” Garland says. “It’s about more than just the beans. It’s about the people behind them.” This commitment extends to how Kings Peak roasts its coffee in the back of the coffee shop, highlighting the unique characteristics of each region.

In addition to their downtown roastery, Kings Peak's recently opened their second location in the Greenprint Building - an up and coming residential area. “It’s slower right now, but we’re excited about the potential,” Garland notes. “There’s a whole community here waiting to grow, and we want to be a part of it.” Both locations serve as gathering spots, offering expertly roasted coffee, pastries from local bakeries, and small bites like avocado toast, bagels from Stone Ground Bakery, and on Saturdays, they feature Leavity's amazing sourdough bread.

Family remains at the heart of Kings Peak. "Our kids called the years when we were traveling and beginning to build our coffee business the 'Golden Years.' We traveled and spent time as a family following our passion for coffee." Two of Garland and Brandy’s daughters are involved in the business. Garland once again emphasized, “Brandy’s flight benefits have allowed us to visit farmers and build connections we wouldn’t have otherwise been able to achieve. It’s been a huge part of our journey.”

Reflecting on the future, Garland and Brandy are optimistic. “We want to keep growing, but we’ll never lose sight of what matters most: quality, community, and relationships. That’s what Kings Peak is all about.” With a smile, Garland adds, “The best part of this business are the people - from the farmers to the customers. That’s what keeps us climbing.”