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 both had moved for the outstanding mountain environment and the local university, Utah State. After they married, their desire and passion for quality foods and organic alternatives spawned the opening of Straw Ibis Market and Café in 1976. While specialty organic coffee was still in its infancy in 1985, Randy and Sally wanted better control over quality. Caffe Ibis Coffee® was born. Randy and Sally also wanted to develop a strong business ethic that represented a way for them to contribute to their community while making sustainable business decisions. An early mentor from the 1970s—Dr. Allen Stokes, a "birthright Quaker" and internationally recognized wildlife biologist—was a strong human rights activist and environmentalist. Randy and Sally, who were married in Allen and Alice Stokes backyard, were inspired to ask themselves “What would Allen think?” and thus, the "Allen Test" became a guiding principle of Caffe Ibis. Over these many years, Caffe Ibis sometimes passes and sometimes fails the "Allen Test." Along with operating an award-winning custom roastery, Caffe Ibis also operates an award-winning Gallery Café with a full-service espresso bar and fresh local pastries. Caffe Ibis Coffee is available in hundreds of coffee shops and retail outlets throughout the United States.

New Ownership, Same Commitment to our Founding Values

After 44 years, Sally sold the company to long-time employee and CFO, Lesa Wilson. Under Lesa's direction, Caffe Ibis has continued our long-running contributions and support for our partnerships that help advance our commitment to Randy and Sally's founding values of social justice, environmental stewardship, and helping to build community in Cache Valley and beyond.