321 Coffee Wins Costco Pilot and Returns to Costco Across North Carolina
A defining milestone in 321 Coffee’s mission to expand disability inclusion and representation.
Several members of the 321 Coffee team, including co-founders Lindsay Wrege, celebrate the new retail launch in front of Costco.
Raleigh, N.C. (June 17, 2026) —321 Coffee, the Raleigh-based specialty coffee roaster that proudly employs individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), has secured a reorder from Costco following a successful product pilot across North Carolina.
Earlier this spring, 321 Coffee launched its signature single-origin medium roast, Elevate, in Costco locations across North Carolina as part of a two-week trial. The opportunity placed the product directly in the hands of Costco members, whose purchases determined the next phase of distribution. Shoppers across the state responded in a big way, exceeding sales expectations in the Triangle and beyond.
Following the initial pilot order for 20 pallets, Costco has placed a reorder of 321 Coffee to be distributed across all ten Costco warehouses statewide, this time for 40 pallets.
“We knew our Costco pilot was a huge opportunity, but there were no guarantees,” shared Lindsay Wrege, Co-Founder of 321 Coffee. “Earning a statewide reorder is a defining milestone for our team and our mission for disability inclusion and representation. Thank you to North Carolina for showing up for great coffee, for small business, and for inclusion. This win belongs to all of us!”
Aaron and Paul, two roasters on the 321 Coffee team, smile inside the 321 Coffee roastery.
Driven by the belief that coffee should taste great and do good, 321 Coffee has built an innovative operation designed around both excellence and accessibility. The team currently consists of over 50 employees and counting across its roastery, coffee shops, and mobile coffee cart in Raleigh. From roasting beans to making lattes, team members with IDD are involved in every step of the process.
321 Coffee’s presence in Costco reflects strong product performance and operational execution, as Costco is known for its highly curated inventory of products that meet high standards for both quality and value.
“We design our operations around two core pillars: accessibility in operations and quality without compromise,” said Michael Evans, Co-Founder of 321 Coffee. “We’re proving that what we have built holds at scale.”
As 321 Coffee continues to grow, so does its impact in creating meaningful employment opportunities and increasing visibility for individuals with IDD. The company was founded in 2017 by Wrege and Evans as students at NC State University to challenge the statistic that 80% of adults with IDD are unemployed.
As 321 Coffee expands its retail presence into one of the most respected retail environments in the world, the company is actively growing its workforce and continuing to invest in accessible operations designed to support employees with IDD in North Carolina.
To find 321 Coffee at a Costco near you, please visit 321coffee.com/product-locator.
321 Coffee will offer a 2 lb. whole bean bag of its signature medium roast, Elevate, a single origin coffee from Peru known for its smooth, balanced profile.
About 321 Coffee
321 Coffee is a coffee shop and specialty roaster focusing on employing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Based in Raleigh, the company currently employs over 50 people. The 321 Coffee team does it all: roasting the coffee, taking the orders, and making the lattes. Together, they are demonstrating the value of an inclusive business model. Launched in 2017, the company is on a mission to change the statistic that 80% of adults with disabilities are unemployed.
Interested in enjoying 321 Coffee at your home, place of business, or next event? Shop the online store at shop.321coffee.com, submit a wholesale inquiry here to partner@321coffee.com, or submit an event request to catering@321coffee.com.