Ben Montgomery and Walker Johnson, Valparaiso University alumni, have established Yaggy Road Roasting Company and The Press in downtown Valparaiso. The Press, which opened in 2023, combines a bookstore with the growing coffee business, creating a community gathering place rooted in conversation, creativity, and connection. Their venture, rooted in a shared passion for coffee, evolved from college dorm room experiments into a business focused on hospitality, relationship, and ethically sourced coffee.
The two friends, both Valparaiso University Class of 2020 theology majors, met in elementary school in Hutchinson, Kansas. Their mutual fascination with coffee began during high school afternoons spent at a local café. Valparaiso University became their choice for college after Ben’s father discovered its theology programs, and both were drawn to the University’s sense of community and opportunity. During their time at Valpo, their dorm room became a center for coffee brewing, conversation, and building connections, shaping their philosophy that coffee could foster strong community ties. Shelves in their room held grinders, brewers, mugs, and various coffee gadgets, indicating their deep interest. Those moments shaped the foundation of what would eventually become their business philosophy: coffee as hospitality, relationship, and shared experience.
Their curiosity led to a deeper understanding of the specialty coffee industry. While learning more, they connected with a coffee producer in Costa Rica, which introduced them to the realities of global coffee production and direct trade relationships. This interaction marked a turning point in their understanding of the industry, inspiring them to build a more ethical and relational business. During college, they pooled resources to purchase their first full burlap sack of green coffee beans. They brought the beans to their dorm room and began roasting small batches using household equipment like popcorn poppers. This led to serving their distinctively flavorful coffee at campus events, often surprising students with its taste.
The Valparaiso University community significantly supported their endeavors, encouraging their creativity and experimentation. Campus events, friendships, and relationships were instrumental in transforming their hobby into something sustainable. Even after graduating, Montgomery and Johnson continued to develop Yaggy Road Roasting Company while remaining connected to the Valparaiso community. Over time, their mission expanded beyond simply roasting coffee, focusing on direct relationships with farmers and producers across Central and South America. These partnerships emphasize transparency, sustainability, and mutual investment, moving beyond viewing coffee as a mere commodity. They began sharing the stories behind each bag of coffee, highlighting the farmers, families, and communities involved in its production.
Though they did not pursue traditional ministry paths, their theological education from Valparaiso University continues to influence their business values. Both see connections between their Valpo experience and the values that guide their business today: ethical leadership, meaningful relationships, hospitality, and care for communities both locally and globally. These values found a physical expression with the opening of The Press in downtown Valparaiso in 2023. The bookstore component of The Press was founded by Ben’s parents, and its combination with the coffee business naturally created a space designed for conversation, creativity, and connection.
Today, Yaggy Road Roasting Company continues to grow, serving coffee in cafés and restaurants beyond Northwest Indiana. Despite this expansion, Ben Montgomery and Walker Johnson remain committed to their original purpose that first emerged in a Valpo dorm room years ago: bringing people together through thoughtful hospitality and helping customers understand the stories, people, and care behind each cup. They define success not merely by expansion or sales, but by the relationships they build. This includes relationships with farmers worldwide, loyal customers in Valparaiso, and the University community that played a crucial role in transforming their college hobby into a meaningful vocation.