Sandra Knight started her coffee career in 1984, at a specialty retail shop called That Coffee Place. She worked side by side with the owners Jim and Jan Rich, learning as she went. Just a year later, the store became so popular that the Rich's decided to open their own coffee roasting plant, Coffee Masters. Learning the ropes as head roaster for 4 years, Sandra finally took the plunge and opened her own roastery, Chicago Coffee Roastery, Inc., in June of 1990.

She saw an opportunity to create a new wholesale roasting company to fill a need within the market for top quality coffee beans, delivered fast and fresh. Along with quality, Sandra knew great customer service had to be the cornerstone of her new company. Since she had been in retailer's shoes for many years, Sandra understood what a reliable supplier is worth. Sandra assembled Chicago Coffee Roastery's product line, selecting the very finest coffee and tea from around the world. She established the company policies of roasting and shipping all coffee in the same 24 hour period, roasting all coffee to our customer's specifications, and always assuring the telephone is answered by a live person. "It is the little details that make a company great", says Sandra, "being there to answer customer questions, suggest new products, and assist in any way possible. We do not reduce our clients to customer numbers and product codes; we keep a very personal emphasis on our service. The greatest reward for all the hard work is in the letters that come from customers, letting us know how much we have helped them."

Chicago Coffee Roastery kept its focus on helping retailers through new products, coffee education, and training. The product line grew over 25 years, expanding to meet its customer’s requirements and requests. Chicago Coffee Roastery's success was mirrored in our customer's success.

In March of 2014, a phone call came that brought Sandra back home. Coffee Masters was for sale and Sandra was given first option. Deeply touched and moved, she jumped right onboard and the deal was done in July of that year. She was now the owner of both Chicago Coffee Roastery, Inc. and Coffee Masters. Continuing to uphold the high standards of fresh roasted, top quality coffee and outstanding customer service, she merged both companies in Spring Grove, IL. With years of experience among key staff, Coffee Masters will continue to build its reputation and excellence, one customer at a time.