Coffee Journal

evalynn: chapter three of our journey

What may look like a simple co-branding project is, in fact, the culmination of years of collaboration, shared passion, and a commitment to excellence in specialty coffee. Welcome to chapter three of our partnership with Niall Weldon, owner at Evalynn Coffee. Check out chapter one on Evalynn’s beginnings and chapter two on our trip to origin, or keep reading to see what’s new. niall weldon, owner of evalynn coffee the brand Like any successful entrepreneur, Niall Weldon has always had a clear vision for what he wanted his coffee shops to be. “We’re trying to break the boundary between being a café and a brand. We want to create a brand out of the café so we can go further with it,” Niall explains. Niall’s nous for brand comes through in everything from the inviting pink branding tones to Evalynn’s social media presence, right through to the coffee shop experience itself. evalynn coffee, drogheda the experience It’s not enough to serve coffee. You have to have a clear vision of what you want your coffee shop to be and make that an everyday experience for people who walk through the door. For Niall, it was about tapping into what he liked and bringing that experience to his customers.  “I want to go into a shop that has four grinders in the bar and a couple of different origins so I can just try them all, because that's what interests me about coffee,” Niall says. Delivering an elevated coffee experience is at the heart of Evalynn’s approach – something that resonates deeply with Stephen Bell, Bell Lane’s Co-Founder and Head of Sales. “Obviously when you want to go work for yourself, you have to have a clear goal and plan. Now Niall is setting a certain standard for what high-end specialty coffee can be,” says Stephen. Evalynn’s coffee menu mirrors Niall’s love for fruity, floral, and high-acidity coffees. And, as he puts it himself, Niall favours “funkier” coffees, pushing the boundaries of taste for himself and customers alike. Over time, Niko Sunko, Bell Lane’s Head Roaster, has come to learn Niall’s tastes and preferences, and has gone the extra step when cupping and planning coffees for the future. niko sunko, head roaster at bell lane coffee roasters the relationship “Working with Niko has most definitely been a fantastic experience,” says Niall. With over fifteen years’ experience in the coffee industry, Niko is well placed to help plan upcoming menus and offer his expertise on anything else coffee related. “Niall shared his vision with us, and now we source all the coffees for Evalynn, curating his offering to make sure the customer experience is right,” says Niko. The importance of the owner-roaster relationships is key at every step, from sourcing to cupping and everything else that adds value to the final cup. For Niall, the trust and collaboration with Niko and the Bell Lane team have been invaluable. “It’s about more than just buying coffee. It’s about having someone who understands your vision and wants to help you achieve it,” he says. As a Certified B Corp, Bell Lane places immense value on relationships with farmers, producers, and coffee shop owners like Niall. And, as sustainability and best sourcing practices become cornerstones of modern business practices, Bell Lane is uniquely positioned to serve the wider coffee industry. the b corp wall in bell lane hq the coffees Coffee drinkers can look forward to a lineup that showcases both diversity and boldness. “The plan with the new coffees is to create a contrast between the house coffee and the bar coffees,” says Niall. With this goal in mind, Niko cupped a range of coffees for Niall, before they ultimately landed on a natural, a supernatural, and a washed. The mix of origins and processes is something Niall is excited for customers to choose from, and taste. As Niko describes, the pink bourbon from Segundo Lazo in Colombia is a “simple classic natural with floral notes and a little sweetness.” The washed option from Ethiopia is “a perfect example of a floral, peachy, pretty Ethiopian.” Meanwhile, the supernatural from Beyou Gersay in Ethiopia is “something that’s on the edge and will give an interesting experience to each coffee drinker,” says Niko. With these new coffees setting a high standard, the partnership is perfectly posed to continue evolving. the latest releases from evalynn coffee the future Niko, Niall, and the team at Evalynn hope to introduce new coffees every three months or so to bring a range of diverse coffees, flavours, and origins to every coffee drinker that enters an Evalynn coffee shop. There are also collaborations planned for Dublin Coffee Festival in April 2025 and, although he can’t say where and when, Niall has ambitious plans to grow Evalynn’s presence into the future. This type of partnership marks a broader shift in specialty coffee toward deeper, more meaningful, partnerships, where roasters and coffee shop owners collaborate to create truly unique offerings. As Stephen predicts, “I think the partnership between Bell Lane and Evalynn is something that you'll see more of growing in the future.” If you’re a coffee shop owner looking to elevate your coffee offering, this partnership shows what’s possible when there’s a shared vision, mutual respect, and a commitment to doing things better together. stephen bell, co-founder of bell lane coffee roasters