Mr. Espresso: The company that's helped Bay Area's coffee culture thrive for half a century

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- If you've ever enjoyed an espresso-based drink in the Bay Area, chances are good that Mr. Espresso may have helped bring that cup to you. The company has been servicing coffee machines and selling espresso beans to retailers, restaurants, and cafes in the Bay Area for over 40 years.

Founder Carlo Di Ruocco came to America from the town of Salerno in southern Italy. Discovering the lack of quality espresso machines and, moreover, espresso beans in the U.S., Carlo and his wife formed Mr. Espresso in 1978 to bring a taste of home to their new country. Today, the company is still going strong, supplying quality espresso machines and beans all throughout the Bay Area and beyond.

"I guess you could say we're a full-service coffee company. We started with the espresso machines. My dad started importing machines in the '70s," said John Di Ruocco, Carlo's oldest son.

"And it started off by identifying it was very difficult to find a good espresso here in the Bay Area," said Luigi Di Ruocco, Carlo's youngest son.

As Mr. Espresso began to import and supply more and more machines, Carlo's customers started to ask him where they could get quality espresso beans. So, Carlo integrated Italian methods of roasting espresso beans and soon he had his own product that he could offer his customers.

"He quickly understood that nobody in the United States was roasting coffee with wood at that time, so he had the opportunity to become the first commercial coffee roasting company in the United States," said Luigi.

Mr. Espresso became a favorite in most of the Bay Area's top Italian cafés and restaurants. Over 40 years later, Mr. Espresso has expanded its reach across the nation. Currently, Mr. Espresso is guided by Carlo's three children, Luigi, John, and Laura. His children are continuing their father's passion for tradition and quality, as well as creating long-lasting relationships with their customers.

"I think that's always the reason why we're still here, is because we're always evolving. We're based on tradition, but at the same time, we're not stuck in tradition," said John.

"It's nice to see something that our parents created that was built to last and to help ensure that it's going to last for another generation," added Luigi.

"The Café by Mr. Espresso" is the family's newest venture and is located in Oakland, California. The café is a place to enjoy their authentic machines, fire-roasted espresso beans, along with their own coffee creations.

For more information : https://mrespresso.com/