The couple purchased the two cafes from owner Judy Lu, who also sold the Georgetown location to Red Horn Coffee House and Taproom.
About the owners
Paul Malone said his coffee roasting journey began on the back deck of the couple's home about 12 years ago, after Donna Malone had their second child. Pregnancy changed her sense of taste, he said, and she found the taste of store-bought coffee lacking.
"Donna was like, 'This is terrible,'" Paul said. "She could taste all the defects of the coffees."
They started out selling roasted beans at farmer's markets and opened three coffee trucks in Austin. When they opened their first brick-and-mortar location in Wells Branch seven years ago, they moved their roasting operation there, too.
While the shop is family run, Donna said, she holds a 51% stake in the business, making it woman-owned.
About the business
Just like the Wells Branch location, the Round Rock and Cedar Park shops will have pastries from Fika Table, as well as a variety of croissant and bagel sandwiches. A customer favorite is the egg, ham, havarti and honey croissant sandwich, Paul said.
They source their specialty quality beans from two importers, Sucafina and Cafe Imports, he said. They are roasted at the Wells Branch location before being bagged and stocked at the storefronts.
Malone Specialty Coffee offers several roasts, with some being named for their country of origin. Others, Paul said, have more local ties, like the Over The Fence espresso blend.
This roast is named for a neighbor, who would trade cash over their shared fence for freshly roasted coffee beans.
Another roast is named Mobile Loaves and Fishes. For each bag sold, $2 is donated to the Austin-based homeless outreach organization, Paul said.
What's next?
Through the end of March, customers can take advantage of a double-punch promotion that the coffee shops are running through paper punch cards, Paul said. The promotion may be extended through April, although that hasn't been decided.
Malone Specialty Coffee will hold a grand opening for its new locations next month.
- Opened in March
- 14735 Bratton Ln., Ste. 210, Austin; 318 E. 5th St., Austin; 635 University Ave., Ste. 100, Round Rock; 1310 Cypress Creek Rd., Ste. 100, Cedar Park
- www.malonecoffee.com
