We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful John DeTraglia. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with John below.

John, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

We found that Stride felt all-encompassing of what we were trying to build. Having found a new fight within running, and coffee being a constant chase of excellence, it felt very fitting to our mission.

John, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

We’re John and Ann DeTraglia, the husband-and-wife team behind Stride Coffee Roasters. I (John) roast the coffee and have been working in the specialty coffee industry for over 13 years. Ann’s a bit of a coffee nerd herself and loves to experiment in the kitchen with our house-made syrup recipes. In 2024, we decided it was time to take the leap and build something of our own—a roastery and café rooted in purpose, progress, and community.

The idea for Stride started to take shape during a road trip we took in the spring of 2024. We rented a Sprinter van and traveled from Denver to the Grand Canyon, taking time to reflect on where we were in life and what we wanted to create together. Stride was just a spark then, but that trip gave us the space to imagine what it could become.

Like most small businesses, ours came to life with the help of a village. We were lucky to live near close friends who were renovating a brewery and taproom in our hometown. We pitched in when we could, and somewhere in those moments—sweeping floors, sanding walls, talking over beers—we started dreaming about what our own space might look like.

The first phase of that dream became our “mobile” coffee cart, which we roll in and out of the brewery every day. It’s humble, a little chaotic at times, but it’s full of intention. We roast our coffee in Syracuse with the help of new friends we met while searching for someone willing to let us rent time on their roaster. That connection and generosity were a turning point. It does take a village.

We also love creating space for other small businesses to thrive alongside us. The tap room’s setup allows local food trucks, makers, and pop-ups to join us at the brewery, bringing even more life and variety to the experience. These collaborations are a big part of what makes Stride feel so alive.

What sets Stride apart isn’t just the coffee—it’s the way we’ve chosen to build it. We care deeply about community, about working alongside others who understand the grit and joy it takes to show up every day. We’re especially proud of the relationships we’ve formed along the way—whether it’s with regulars at the cart, our roasting partners, or the incredible small businesses we’ve been able to partner with for our food and merchandise.

At the end of the day, Stride is about motion—putting one foot in front of the other, even when it’s hard. It’s about progress, growth, and building something that reflects the kind of life we want to live.

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

At Stride, we roast coffee—but we see ourselves as just one link in a much larger chain. Great coffee doesn’t happen by accident. It begins at the farm, shaped by the hands and decisions of dedicated producers. Our role is to honor that work by roasting with intention, bringing out the unique character of each coffee, and sharing it with care.

We know coffee can be more than a beverage—it can be ritual, connection, and a moment of pause. We’re grateful to be part of that daily rhythm for our customers.

Our guiding principle is simple: chase excellence. That spirit—of growth through discipline, of striving for better—is what drives us. In coffee and in life, we believe in showing up fully, embracing the process, and always moving forward.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

We believe it’s our approach. In a village with no shortage of coffee options, we knew we had to offer more than just another cup. So we chose a path rooted in intention—roasting our own coffee, crafting our own syrups, and thoughtfully building our brand from the ground up.

That intentionality shows up in everything we do—from the way we design our drinks to the way we collaborate with others. We operate our coffee cart inside a local brewery, Grow Brewing Co., growing our business within a shared space. We’re part of a vibrant running community, working alongside a local sneaker shop, The Sneaker Store, creating a welcoming spot to gather post-run, whether it’s a casual meet-up or our annual New Year’s Day Hangover Fun Run. We hold pop-up events with businesses and food trucks, just getting started like ourselves.

We also believe in education and accessibility. Through events like our “Shop Talk” classes, we invite customers to explore the craft behind the cup. At the end of the day, we’re here to build connections, serve great coffee with purpose, and keep showing up for the people around us.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.stridecoffeeroasters.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/stridecoffeeroasters
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/stridecoffeeroasters

Image Credits

Very first photo of John behind the bar was taken by Samm Aversa