It's a bit dim now, but 43-year old Gary Sainati, owner and CEO of Buono Coffee Roasters, still remembers the days when his grandfather used to buy coffee beans at the local store and roast them at home. The rich, bold fragrance would waft across Sainati's nostrils - instantly heightening his senses, and as the thick smoothness reached his throat, the length of the blend's whiff would release a final aromatic burst.

Years later, that delight still hasn't changed. You see, coffee has been in Sainati's family since his great-grandparents and grandparents emigrated from Italy. They opened two restaurants and served espresso for many years, until Sainati founded Buono's Coffee (529 Church St., Wilkerson, Wash.) in 1993. The family-owned and operated business now employs Sainati's mother, siblings and children.     

"It's in the blood, you know. Coffee blends, roasting it - everything about it is my passion," said Sainati. "It's a creative thing and not a job, and more like going on a vacation where you never have to leave."

Five years ago, Sainati began donating Buono's coffee blends to Soldiers serving abroad. "At first it was a form of appreciation for what our men and women in the armed forces do for us," he said.

That is, until the day a Soldier walked into Sainati's store to say thank you. The Soldier had attended Mass during deployment, and the pastor served Buono's coffee (after service of course, for he knew the power of a morning cup of Joe).

"I was so choked up I almost cried because I knew others didn't make it back," said Sainati, "and I was humbled that he'd come all this way to say thanks. I'm a nobody - he's the one serving me. What our Soldiers do keeps me safe so I can continue doing what I do."

It was such a gratifying experience that since then, every military family member, retiree,  and active duty Servicemember - anyone Sainati meets, he gives them his business card and offers free coffee blends, including shipment to Servicemembers they know serving abroad. He even approaches Servicemembers in uniform at airports and restaurants during his business travels.

Sainati also makes care packages for deployed Soldiers as a volunteer with Support America's Armed Forces (SAAF). Buono's coffee has been to installations across the U.S. as well as in Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq.

"You want great pie, you buy Sara Lee, but if you want good coffee, ours is homemade," he said.

Sainati's unique coffee blends are handcrafted in an in-store roaster every three days, guaranteed, and blends are distinctive because of Buono's roasting capacity. They also make private-label branding for events and fundraising (and there's no up-front cost for fundraisers). Private labels are also available for individual orders.

Customers have a choice of whole bean or ground and flavors include Superiore (dark roast), Migliore (oily medium roast), and Cosi Buono (light roast) blends, among others. The French-press is popular for home-use. Sainati recommends two-thirds rounded cup of coffee grounds to 8 to 10 ounces of liquid.

For more information visit www.buonocoffee.com or call (360) 829-1237.  

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