Our Story

In 1996, we (Darin & Rochelle) started our journey in coffee with our young family by opening The Beanery Coffee Company in Summerland, in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley.

With a focus on fresh food, good coffee, and genuine service, we built a loyal following and The Beanery became a true gathering place in the community. By 2000, as demand grew and our standards continued to rise, we invested in a refurbished Diedrich coffee roaster. Working with experienced coffee buyers, we began sourcing high-quality beans, and Darin started roasting in-store. Over time, he developed roast profiles that allowed us to produce fresh, carefully roasted, and thoughtfully blended specialty coffees.

In 2008, we made the decision to sell the café so we could focus fully on roasting and sharing specialty coffee. We relocated the roastery and continued to build on what we had started.

Then in 2013, we relaunched as Lone Tree Coffee, giving both the roastery and the still-thriving Beanery Cafe their own identities within the community.

Today, we continue to source quality coffees from farms that are Rainforest Alliance, Fair Trade, Organic certified, or simply grown responsibly by default. Our newer Diedrich coffee roaster, paired with an oxidizer, allows us to roast cleanly and efficiently. We’ve also expanded into a growing online marketplace while continuing to serve cafes, offices, and grocery stores.

Our goal is simple: for you to enjoy.

When it came time to choose a new name, we knew it had to reflect the place we call home. When “Lone Tree” and its story were introduced to us, it immediately felt right.

The name traces back to an early 1800s map of the Okanagan region, where a landmark just north of present-day Summerland was marked as l’arbre seul, French for “the lone tree”.

This point served as a guide along the historic Brigade Trail, used by Hudson’s Bay Company traders to move furs and goods between the interior and the coast. Later, the same route played a role during the Cariboo Gold Rush, connecting travelers, cattlemen, and trade.

In 2001, as part of Summerland’s Centennial, a portion of this historic path was preserved as the Brigade Trail Linear Park. A trailhead marker at Priest Camp now commemorates the route and the now vanished “lone tree” landmark that inspired our name.

Our Local Community through donations to youth clubs, local teams, and arts groups, as well as supporting schools through our fundraising program.

Our Global Community that includes coffee growers and their families.

Cup Quality, including paying a premium for the high quality Arabica beans.

Supporting Certification Programs that promote and uphold sustainable growing practices at the point of trade.

The Environment by minimizing air pollution through the use of an oxidizer, reducing fuel consumption by 50% and a further 50% with infrared burners, recycling waste products, and limiting vehicle use in our delivery schedules.

— And You! by creating the best possible coffee experience.