Our Story
East Meets West
Randy Wirth grew up near San Francisco, while Sally Sears was raised just outside of New York City. They met in Northern Utah, where they had both been drawn by the mountains, the surrounding landscape, and Utah State University. After they married, their shared passion for quality foods and organic alternatives led them to open Straw Ibis Market and Café in Logan, Utah in 1976.
By 1985, specialty organic coffee was still in its early days, but Randy and Sally wanted greater control over quality, sourcing, and freshness. From that vision, Caffe Ibis® Coffee was born.
From the beginning, Randy and Sally set out to build more than just a coffee company. They wanted to create a business grounded in quality, community, and environmental responsibility. That vision was deeply influenced by early mentors Dr. Allen and Alice Stokes, whose lives reflected a deep care for both natural and human communities.
Allen, a wildlife biologist and educator, and Alice, a dedicated community and environmental advocate, met while working for Dr. Aldo Leopold, a pioneering environmentalist widely known as the father of wildlife ecology. They believed that we are part of the environment itself, connected to the land, water, plants, animals, and each other. Their work extended beyond conservation into education, social justice, and strengthening community.
From this influence came what we still refer to as the “Allen Test,” a simple question that has helped guide Caffe Ibis for decades: What would Allen and Alice think? Today, as Randy and Sally’s founding vision continues through the next generation of leadership, Director of Coffee and General Manager Tom Wilson has lovingly expanded that question into what he calls the “Randy Test” -- asking the question, what would Randy think?
It is a reminder that our work should support both people and the planet, not just in principle, but in the everyday decisions that shape how we source, roast, serve, and share coffee.
Over the years, Caffe Ibis has grown from its roots as a small market and café into an award-winning custom roastery, café, and wholesale coffee partner. Our coffees are available in cafés, restaurants, grocery stores, offices, and retail outlets throughout the region and beyond. As we approach our 50th Anniversary, we remain guided by the same values that shaped our beginning: quality, community, environmental stewardship, and a commitment to doing business with care.
A New Chapter, Same Founding Values
After 44 years, Sally sold Caffe Ibis to longtime employee and CFO Lesa Wilson. Under Lesa’s leadership, Caffe Ibis continued to grow while deepening its commitment to the founding values Randy and Sally set in motion: social justice, environmental stewardship, quality coffee, and community care.
Today, as Lesa begins to step back from day-to-day involvement, that work continues through the next generation of leadership, including Director of Coffee and General Manager Tom Wilson. Guided by the same values that shaped our beginning, Caffe Ibis remains committed to building meaningful partnerships, supporting our community in Cache Valley and beyond, and making decisions that honor both people and the planet.
