Eighth and Roast

Why We Love It: Eighth and Roast in the Melrose neighborhood is a cozy spot great for working, meetings, coffee and lunch. I had my first pour over there, and to watch the barista gingerly pour the water over the grounds and drip below was a bit of magic. Lesa and Brad Wood founded Eighth & Roast in 2009, when their passion for home roasting grew into a home delivery service and direct-to-market retail operation. The coffee company roasts more than 70,000 pounds of beans each year, which are acquired directly from farmers. At least 1,000 pounds per week are sold to local restaurants and retailers. Lesa has been one of the few women in the coffee roasting business and is considered a trailblazer when it comes to roasting beans.