In 2018, a mother daughter duo set out to bring something new to their community. They knew there was a need for a gathering place that everyone is welcome. Their love for craft coffee sparked an idea, which developed into Monticello Coffee Company. Opening a coffee shop off Hwy 425, in an old Pizza Hut building, is the heart of the business district, they bring community culture to the fore and equally important they bring gourmet coffee and tea to a community in need of exactly that. "I drove by that building almost everyday, and I could feel it speak to me. I knew it needed life and I thought, what a great location for a community spot. So that's when I called up my daughter and said, "What do you think of opening a coffee shop?" She thought I was joking, but the more we discussed it, the more we both knew, this is what Monticello needs." - Ms. Annette
Ms. Annette
I live in Monticello Arkansas and have since 2016. I moved here with my husband who was raised in Monticello and we both enjoy small town life. I was born and raised in Evergreen Colorado, a small town in the Rockies . . .
Annette Taylor
I Spent many years in Las Vegas Nevada, where I raised my family and obtained my Masters in Business Administration and Marketing. I was one of the first female executives in the construction industry in Las Vegas.
I am the mother of three beautiful children, Lore Ward,
James Dugger, and Nicole Tarantino. Grandmother of four, Deegan Ward, Gavin Dugger, Lani Dugger, and Elaine Dugger.
I am the co-owner of Monticello Coffee Company and Encompass
Coffee Roasters, in Monticello Arkansas. A coffee shop that I started because I wanted there to be a place for our community to gather and spend time with family and friends. I enjoy using the shop for many events free of charge to help our community with fundraisers, or to help others get their small businesses in front of the public. We use local products from our area whenever possible.
In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family. I
also enjoy the arts and spending time in the outdoors.
Lore Ward
Lore is one of our co-founders. She was born and raised in Las Vegas, NV where she met her husband in high school and had her son 3 years after that. She found her love for coffee through her husband, they would spend weekends enjoying the many wonderful coffee shop Vegas had to offer. "Mom would come along and it would be such a fun weekend family adventure." She went from drinking Frappuccino's to enjoying drip coffee. And now cupping coffee to pull flavor profiles. . .
Lore Ward
In 2017, her and her husband decided it was time to move out of the city and slow things down. She wanted a change of scenery for all of them and new experiences for their son. Once they moved, she had to figure out what she wanted to do. Her mom had been joking for some time about opening a coffee shop, but with no prior experience, where do you start. They found Texas Coffee School and from there, Monticello Coffee Co. was born. "I couldn't image not being in coffee now... Our cafe has been open for 6 years and we love every minute. We also recently started our roasting adventure. We've been roasting for just about 3 years on a Bellwether Roaster. It allows us to roast per order and our beans are always fresh. I hope to one day be able to share our love for coffee by opening new locations around Arkansas and a personal goal is to become a certified Q Grader."
