Anna Bialkowski
The Southern Editor
Every morning, Saed Alaraj commutes from his house in Tampa to Rogue Coffee in Lakeland. Opening the door to a cozy setting with couches, a menu full of specialty drinks right over the bar, Alaraj makes his way to the back corner of the shop that is full of stacked coffee beans right from Brazil.
From farm to cup, Rogue Coffee sells premium coffee beans as a wholesaler to coffee shops in Lakeland such as Foxtail and Latitude, and Alaraj explains that the coffee community is all about giving everyone the best coffee beans.
“We try to provide the best coffee beans to everyone, not just Rogue,” Alaraj said. “It’s kind of two businesses in one.”
Multiple businesses is nothing new to Rogue Coffee’s brand. With three locations across the world in Dubai, Rogue Coffee on Main Street is not only the first location in Lakeland, but the first in the United States.
Alaraj explains that Rogue Coffee overseas has its own culture, offering a Middle Eastern feel with a menu full of more of their local pastries and treats. However, Alaraj explains that he believes Rogue in Lakeland needs to tailor to the people of Lakeland, and that the menu in Dubai simply wouldn’t work in the same way that it does overseas.
Two of the Rogue locations in Dubai actually operate on wheels similar to that of the student coffee cart initiative Morning Grind and Alaraj is looking to do the same for Rogue in Lakeland, in order to get Rogue’s name out during events like the Lakeland Downtown Farmer’s Curb Market and First Friday in Downtown.
With the two hurricanes blowing through Florida, Alaraj explains that it was a challenge to get the coffee shop off the ground, and that unfortunately, Rogue Coffee was not able to have a proper grand opening. However, once more customers begin to buy coffee from Rogue, Alaraj says he’s planning to have a grand opening with free coffee, drinks and pastries.
Located right across from downtown Lakeland, Alaraj invites everyone to come in and try a cup of their coffee. With a diverse myriad of menu items, the shop is also working on a partnership with selling Milk tea and Boba tea.
There is also a 15% discount offered to students and a 20% discount for healthcare providers.
For those interested in a collaboration with Rogue Coffee, contact Roguecoffee@yahoo.com or Saedalaraj96@gmail.com.
