Killer Shops: Burial Grounds Coffee Company

The Wickedly Talented Ladies of Macabre Merch: Six Questions for the Beauty and Brains Behind the Killer Shop, Burial Grounds Coffee Company

Burial Grounds Coffee Company is a small online coffee shop, run by owner Angie, that masterfully combines two of my very favorite things in the world — truly delicious coffee and all things Horror and Sci-Fi. The shop’s custom, artisan roasted, small batch coffee blends are inspired by characters and villains from a variety of Horror and Sci-Fi films and popular fandoms. Besides boasting really well-designed packaging that looks great, this coffee tastes absolutely amazing. Incredibly fresh and flavorful with so many unique flavor combinations, this shop is a coffee lover’s dream come true. You can even subscribe to receive your favorite blend on a monthly basis — although the hardest part is actually picking a favorite!

1. What was the inspiration for starting your own business and how did you get started?

Coffee has always been an important part of my life. It helps me people, it brings people together. I started roasting my own coffee when I lost my taste for coffee while pregnant. Once I started roasting my own, my love for coffee reignited. Our first roaster was a Death Star popcorn popper and with a love for villains. I said wouldn’t it be cool to sell villainous coffees?

2. When and how did you fall in love with horror?

Freddy was the first man of my dreams. I probably watched him around four or five for the first time, and he terrified me.

My dad was a huge horror and science fiction fan. We’d watch The Twilight Zone together every morning, and every marathon they had we’d watch until we fell asleep. Then we’d wake back up and start again. I was probably around five when we started that tradition.

I’ll never forget watching Poltergeist for the first time around seven when I was home sick, terrified. Unlike a lot people, I love the feeling of being scared. But zombies are probably my truest love. They’re just so perseverant. Old school Romero is where it’s at.

I could watch any of those movies over and over again, back to back.

3. Where does inspiration for your products come from? What is your creative process like?

Inspiration comes from my favorite ghouls, creeps, villains and characters — and either phrases, or characteristics about them. Usually I’ll have an idea in my head of the roast and flavor. But sometimes happy accidents happen, and we mix two coffees together for our personal coffee because we’re running low. Often, that’s when a new blend and character idea will happen.

4. What’s the best part about running your own business, and what’s the hardest part?

The best part is I get to do one of my favorite things and share it with everyone. Hearing someone loves a flavor to match their favorite character is one of the best feelings ever. The hardest part is time management. I’m a wife and mother of three, and making sure everyone gets equal time can be challenging.

5. Tell me why you think it’s important for people to support small business? Is it especially important for people to support female-owned business (if so, why)?

Small business is the future. If there’s anything Romero taught me about consumerism, or sci-fi teaches us about corporate greed, supporting small business needs to be the future.

I probably sound like a conspiracy theorist right now, but small artisans and people with crafts are so incredibly important to the world. After all, you’ll need someone to make your coffee during the apocalypse. I kid, kind of.

Being a woman and experiencing wage inequality in the workforce was incredibly discouraging. No matter how hard I worked, I was in a male lead field and would never be paid as much as my male counterparts even in lesser positions. Women owning their own businesses give us back control over what we pay ourselves. It empowers us to show what we’re made of and succeed by the quality and effort of our work.

I also get to stay home with the kids. So personally for me, I’m allowed that freedom to do what I love and be with who I love — not missing out on anything. 

6. How can people follow/interact with you on social and purchase your products? And is there anything else you’d like to add or promote?

I do most of our advertising and communicating with the community through Instagram @burialgroundscoffeeco. I do small stockings, usually on Friday nights at 8pm EST. I’m also part of lots of subscription boxes. Our website is www.burialgrounds.coffee, where I’m also trying to get various drink recipes up and running.

I also just opened Instagram’s first ever horror themed auction house with my close friend and some amazing vendors. We’ll be doing monthly horror and goth themed auctions, with a great variety of vendors from coffee and tea to clothing, paintings, and bath and beauty products — all handmade. You can follow us on @goregeousodditiesauction to keep current with upcoming auction dates and participating shops.