10 Minutes with Kat Melheim of Coffee People Zine

In this insightful interview, Kat reflects on seven vibrant years of Coffee People, the decision to pause the zine, and the impact it has had on the coffee community. 

BY VASILEIA FANARIOTI
SENIOR ONLINE CORRESPONDENT

Cover photo courtesy of Kat Melheim

In the ever-evolving landscape of the coffee industry, few initiatives have fostered such a unique connection among coffee professionals as Coffee People Zine. Founded by Kat Melheim in 2018, the zine has become a vibrant platform celebrating the intersection of coffee and creativity, showcasing the artwork of nearly 1,200 artists and serving as a space for community engagement.

After seven impactful years, Kat has made the difficult decision to pause the publication, a choice influenced by financial challenges and a desire to focus on the future. In this conversation, we explore her journey, the significance of the zine, and the enduring spirit of creativity within the coffee community.

Barista Magazine Online: Thank you for joining us, Kat! To start, what inspired you to create Coffee People Zine, and what were your hopes for it back in 2018?

Kat Melheim: Thanks for having me! I started Coffee People Zine in March 2018 as a way to connect coffee professionals through their shared love of art. I wanted to create a platform that showcased the creativity of baristas, roasters, and everyone in the coffee community who is also an artist or a creative spirit. At first, I wasn’t sure if anyone would resonate with it, but the response was incredible.

Can you share some significant moments from your journey with the zine over these seven years?

Oh, absolutely! The release party for issue one was a standout moment. I hosted it at Amethyst Coffee in Denver, and I was so surprised and touched by the turnout. People filled the shop, and it felt amazing to see so many excited about a project that started as an idea in my mind. 

Another memorable issue was number nine, which was released in June of 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. I asked artists to submit work reflecting their experiences during lockdown. It became a sort of time capsule, capturing a wide range of emotions and experiences from that period.

Then, issue 10 was also significant as it featured exclusively Black artists from the coffee community. It was deeply personal for me, especially living in Minneapolis at that time, amid the social reckonings following George Floyd’s murder. Paying artists for their contributions for the first time felt like a crucial step to ensure that their work was valued and acknowledged.

You’ve made the difficult decision to stop printing the zine. Can you walk us through what led to this choice?

It definitely wasn’t an easy decision. Financially, sustaining the zine became increasingly difficult. Although I was fortunate to pay out over $40,000 to artists across 1,196 published works, the balance between income and expenses tilted unfavorably, especially since COVID-19 hit. 

I was managing the zine alone, and although I had some initial momentum, I’ve been grappling with flatlining subscriber numbers. Never was I able to get more than 400 subscribers over the years, which is not enough to make it feel sustainable in the long run. It’s been a struggle, and I’ve tried various models to attract sponsorship without much success.

How has the community reacted to your decision?

The response has been a mixture of sadness and understanding. I’ve received numerous heartfelt messages from people saying how much the zine has meant to them. Many are disappointed but supportive, expressing that they understand the challenges I’ve faced and the need for me to take a pause. It’s been truly touching to see how people value the space we created together over the years.

With 40 total published zines, numerous events, and having shipped to 27 countries, what do you hope people will remember about Coffee People Zine?

I hope people will remember it as a platform that celebrates diversity and creativity in the coffee space. We’ve hosted 15 release parties and printed 2,378 pages of art, providing a platform for artists to share their work and, importantly, connect. If it provided a sense of community and belonging for even just a few individuals, then it accomplished its mission.

What advice would you give to aspiring creatives who have been inspired by Coffee People Zine to share their work?

I want artists to feel empowered to continue creating, whether that’s through their own initiatives or fostering connections in our community. There are many avenues to share work today, and the spirit of collaboration and creativity remains alive and well within the coffee community. Even if Coffee People Zine won’t continue in its physical form for now, the energy it created can still thrive and inspire new projects.

Looking toward the future, do you see the zine coming back in another capacity, or do you have other plans on the horizon?

Right now, I’d like to leave space for a potential comeback but without any concrete plans. The truth is that I need to take some time to reassess everything, and also focus on my marketing and social media manager role with Algrano and my roasting endeavors. 

I truly believe in the importance of physical publication as something that provides a unique, tangible connection that digital formats can’t replicate. So while I’m stepping back from Coffee People Zine, I won’t rule out a return, and I remain open to possibilities. 

Thank you so much, Kat, for sharing your journey with us. Any final thoughts?

I just want to thank everyone who has been part of the Coffee People Zine—the artists, contributors, readers, and supporters. Every piece of artwork, every page turned, and every conversation held has meant the world to me. I’m grateful, and I hope everyone continues to pursue their creative passions, with or without a zine!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vasileia Fanarioti (she/her) is a senior online correspondent for Barista Magazine and a freelance copywriter and editor with a primary focus on the coffee niche. She has also been a volunteer copywriter for the I’M NOT A BARISTA NPO, providing content to help educate people about baristas and their work.

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