Martell Mason returned to Detroit in 2020. While seeing many positive changes happening in the metro, he noticed a lack of progression in the neighborhood he grew up in: Highland Park. With the community in mind, Mason established The Sepia Coffee Project in 2021. The small-batch roasting company currently operates an appointment-only tasting room in Detroit and is dedicated to urban renewal and building a more inclusive coffee culture.
Fast forwarding two years later, SCP has won many hearts with its many quality roasts. Earlier this month, Mason closed a location in Highland Park commercial space on Hamilton Ave with plans to build out a new roastery and tasting room. The tasting room is anticipated to open in Summer 2024, according to SCP’s instagram page.
The company recently received a $10,000 grant from the Torani Cafe Opportunity Fund and is currently running a crowdfunding campaign to begin construction of the new tasting room on Wefunder.
“It’s not just coffee; it’s getting minorities and these urban communities to see that you can do it, too, no matter what area you want to be in,” said Mason to Daily Coffee News, which first reported the Highland Park location. SCP also hopes to establish a full brick-and-mortar cafe in 2026.
