How tariffs of coffee could potentially impact prices at Central Coast coffee shops

MARINA, Calif, (KION-TV) For Cafe Mia Brew Bar and Bistro, the coffee shop has navigated various challenges from covid to severe weather. However now, new tariffs on most coffee-producing countries are expected to drive up costs for local shops.

“You take care of your customers, you take care of your product, and you can control your attitude," Cafe Mia owner Horace Mercurio said. "It's hard to say at this point. I've talked to my purveyors, my coffee purveyor. At this point, there's nothing immediately that's going to be going up.”

Specialty Coffee Association’s CEO said the effects haven’t been seen just yet, but many across the country are bracing themselves.

“A lot of people and their businesses are going to be affected and it brings a lot of anxiety and we're trying to find ways of supporting our community to navigate those challenging times," Yannis Apostolopoulos Specialty Coffee Association CEO said.

Mercurio says he has heard of some places raising their prices, but has no plans for Cafe Mia to do the same at this time.

“That's up to the individual business. Everybody has different margins with that they're looking to keep. I understand that as a businessman, but everybody has to do what's right for their own business and for me, I'm not going to raise my prices," Mercurio said.