SINCE 2011.

Wake Up Iowa began roasting single origin coffees in 2011 by founder Jarrett MItchell. In the beginning there was a parking lot and a coffee cart that an all smiles long-hair braided Mitchell served his first customers. The menu included coffee, espresso drinks–lest we forget his signature Velvet Hammer–and homemade egg sandwiches. And on weekend nights, Mitchell infiltrated the local bar food scene by walking around with a backpack full of his delicious egg sandwiches, hawking just what the doctor ordered to hungry drunks.

Wake Up Iowa was influenced and grown to what it is today by the help of friends and family in and outside of Iowa. Joel and Katrina Anderson roasted and distributed with us from 2015-2022. They now own and operate their own coffee roastery in downtown Mount Vernon, Iowa. Check them out at Little Scratch Coffee Roasters!

Our success can be traced to the consistent support of the Iowa City community. Wake Up Iowa coffee can be found freshly brewed on menus all over town in Iowa City and regularly stocked at some groceries in eastern Iowa. 

Today, the daily operations of Wake Up Iowa are largely managed by Jarrett’s wife, Cristin, who joined the business in 2022. Jarrett’s current project is growing Crystal Dreams Brewing and managing Cobra Verde plant-based energy drinks. The Mitchells work together and separately out of a warehouse in Iowa City, and they can’t believe you’re still reading this. We really do love what we do and feel blessed to share the fruits of our labor with you.

MUCH LOVE