Meet Caroline Kobrinovitch of Storm Glass Coffee

Today we’d like to introduce you to Caroline Kobrinovitch

Hi Caroline, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I spent most of my 20s living and working in Portland, Oregon, where I was surrounded by a rich coffee culture and a vibrant community within the service industry. I loved the energy of that world and occasionally thought about owning my own place, though I wasn’t sure it was something I could actually do.

In 2018, I moved to Colorado and fell in love with Evergreen. At that time, I was working in Denver for a business consulting company, so I put my coffee shop dream on hold. But as time passed, I found myself missing the lively community and atmosphere of the coffee shops I used to work in. Eventually, my dream of opening my own shop came back to the forefront, and in 2024, I broke ground on Storm Glass Coffee.

I named it after my favorite antique Storm Glass, something that has always meant a lot to me and felt like a fitting and personal name for my shop. I wanted Storm Glass Coffee to embody a sense of community, care, and, of course, serve truly excellent coffee. The support and enthusiasm from the local community has been fantastic, and I feel incredibly lucky to be here.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road! I first chose the name *Storm Glass Coffee* back in 2019, but it took until 2024 to finally open the shop. The journey was filled with challenges, especially once construction started. There were countless roadblocks and surprises, as is typical in the construction process. But through it all, I held onto my strong belief that this is what I’m meant to be doing and my commitment to creating something meaningful for my community. That passion kept me going, no matter how bumpy the path got.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Storm Glass Coffee is a local, multi-roaster coffee shop that combines high-quality, adventurous flavors like baklava and cardamom rose with a deeply personal touch. Our goal is to create a safe, welcoming space where people can explore new tastes, relax, and connect. We highlight a rotating roaster each month, bringing fresh, unique coffees from across the country – and eventually, the world – to our community.

This shop is a true family endeavor. My dad has worked with me on projects during the build out, and my sister and husband often help by working the register. Every product and detail here is carefully chosen, as I believe no detail is too small when it comes to creating an exceptional experience. One of my customers even compared Storm Glass to *Cheers* – a place where you’re always greeted by a friendly face, can enjoy a special drink, and are likely to see someone you know.

Branding this shop with my brother-in-law, Gordy Hirsch, was a rewarding process as well. He crafted our tagline, “slow coffee / fast friends,” perfectly capturing the spirit we wanted: a space to pause, enjoy, and connect. With a cozy couch area, free library, and games, Storm Glass is designed to feel like a communal living room – a place to gather, find reprieve, and experience something new.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My advice for anyone just starting out? Believe in yourself, even when it’s hard. I think a lot of us, myself included, tell ourselves we can’t do something, but the truth is we all have something unique to offer. I’m still surprised when someone walks into Storm Glass and notices a small detail I spent time on or enjoys a new drink I’m trying out. It reminds me that those little things matter, and others do see and appreciate them.

If you have a dream or a passion, don’t give up on it! It’s going to be hard, and there will be times when you question if you can really do it. But if you keep pushing and working through those tough moments, it’s incredibly rewarding to see others enjoy something you’ve created. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Other business owners, family, friends – people want to support you, and the truth is, none of us can do it all alone. Take the support where you can get it; it can make all the difference.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://stormglassco.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stormglassco/

Image Credits
Gordy Hirsch