Prospectors Cold Brew Coffee signs deal with Meijer

Grand Rapids Downtown Market Incubator Kitchen tenant sees success and growth

The Grand Rapids Downtown Market has announced that Prospectors Cold Brew Coffee, an Incubator Kitchen tenant inside the Market, has signed on with Meijer. The deal will place Prospectors in more than 200 stores throughout Michigan and other states in the Midwest.

A local standout, Prospectors Cold Brew will replace a national brand in Meijer stores beginning in late spring. The deal will also quadruple Prospectors weekly production and add three jobs to their team. Meijer shoppers will be able to find ready-to-drink flavors such as Original and Extra Strength, as well as Prospectors 16 oz concentrate and an all-new Almond Maple flavor, with more new flavors in the works.

Prospectors Cold Brew was created by friends and business partners, David Wentworth and Eric Pearson. Made with the best organic, fair-trade coffee, and balanced with fresh mint, Prospectors Cold Brew coffee is a healthy option for those who are looking for a low calorie and low sugar caffeinated coffee beverage.

Meijer representatives toured the Downtown Market Incubator Kitchen to see firsthand the 16-hour steeping, filtering and hand-bottling process that is integral in creating Prospectors signature cold brew. This method, combined with a four-part proprietary filtration process, eliminates acidity and bitterness while “exciting” the bean’s natural richness and flavor. The result is a crisp, smooth coffee with a bright, refreshing finish.

”A goal for us has always been to be see our cold brew coffees on the shelves in Meijer stores, and we’re excited to see our products being made accessible to as many people as possible at an affordable price point,” says Wentworth. “We’re now looking to expand our operations and focus on garnering national distribution all the while being thankful that the Incubator Kitchen in the Market has provided us with the tools necessary to create and grow our business to where it is now.“

The Incubator Kitchen inside the Downtown Market serves as a catalyst for both cooperative education and small business development with an aim to be an inclusive space for food start-ups and entrepreneurs who are seeking resources, support and technical assistance. Prospectors started working inside the Incubator Kitchen in July of 2014 and has grown steadily since.

“Prospectors is a prime example of the success and growth we like to see our Incubator Kitchen tenants achieve,” says Mimi Fritz, president and CEO of the Downtown Market. “The Incubator Kitchen strives to foster entrepreneurship, good food and community to develop an ecosystem of good food businesses as part of Grand Rapids’ identity.”

Already available in Kroger, SpartanNash, Fresh Thyme and many local fresh markets and smaller stores, shoppers can expect to find Prospectors Cold Brew Coffee on Meijer shelves in late spring for $2.99 a bottle.
About the Grand Rapids Downtown Market 

The Grand Rapids Downtown Market is the region’s new choice for fresh, delicious foods and amazing public market merchants. The Market is a $30 million, self-sustaining, LEED-certified, mixed-use facility that brings together production, distribution, marketing and education about local foods and growing. It incorporates entrepreneur and experimentation space for both emerging and experienced food artisans and merchants including a 24-vendor Market Hall and one full-service restaurant with another coming soon. More at www.downtownmarketgr.com.

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Wendy HammondTue, Apr 12, 2016 at 11:23 AM

Yes, I’d love a photo!

Sarah SuydamTue, Apr 12, 2016 at 11:34 AM

Here’s a dropbox link with some photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/40u3escpybrxizu/AAB773PArDPE2AyJK9PVmORta?dl=0