Commonplace Coffee appoints first CEO in 22-year history

Commonplace Coffee’s first CEO, Alisa Paul | Photo credit: Commonplace Coffee

Pennsylvania-based Commonplace Coffee has named its first CEO after more than two decades in business. 
 

In a press release, the specialty coffee roaster and café chain said Alisa Paul brings extensive experience in strategy, operations, analytics and mentorship to the business as it embarks on a new phase of growth. 

Founded by Julie and TJ Fairchild in 2003, Commonplace Coffee currently operates a roastery and bakery production facility in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, alongside seven coffee shops in the state.  

Paul, formerly Senior Director at workforce development non-profit Year Up United, will focus on improving in-store customer experience, growing Commonplace Coffee’s wholesale channel, creating career pathways for staff and mentoring leadership. 

“I am incredibly excited to join the Commonplace Coffee team and help steward the continued growth of this organisation and its leadership. I have always been passionate about removing barriers to allow companies and the people that power them to thrive. There are so many things that energise me about Commonplace: our focus on hospitality, building community, and, of course, our exceptional coffee,” Paul said.  

Alongside its café operations and wholesale business, Commonplace Coffee also provides café consultation, equipment, service and training for businesses seeking to build or develop their own specialty coffee programmes. 

Sustainability is also a key component of Commonplace Coffee’s business and, since 2020, the specialty coffee group has published a Coffee Accountability Report detailing progress across direct-trade coffee purchasing, sustainability and training. Commonplace Coffee’s latest report, covering the 12 months ended 31 December 2023, shows it sourced single origin coffee from 12 countries in Latin America and Africa – including four lots from Ethiopia and three from Colombia.