Five Questions with Limelight Coffee

Liz Laughlin believes in letting your light shine through.

That “light,” of course, is each person’s passion – the inherently unique spark that guides us toward the pursuit of our dreams.

For this relatively nascent coffee connoisseur, following her passion for people — and for creating smiles with carefully crafted goods — meant trading barley and hops for caffeinated beans of nearly every sort. After a decade brewing beer, Laughlin saw the emergence of a new trend — specialty coffees — and set out to put her own spin on the ol’ “cup o’ Joe.”

One sip is all it takes to see that her choice was the right one.

Now a staple of the Statehouse Market each summer, Laughlin’s inimitable smile greets passersby each week as she fills every customer’s cup to the brim or offers take-home bags of three distinct coffee flavors, one of which rotates seasonally.

We’re being “brutally honest” when we say Laughlin’s Limelight Coffee Roasters is a one-of-a-kind take on java, and her craftsmanship and care shine through in every cup.

Read on to hear how Liz Laughlin is bringing the specialty coffee scene in Indy “into the limelight.”

Q: What are some things that separate Limelight Coffee Roasters from other brands?

A: I select and roast the most flavorful coffees from around the world. I have formulated two flagship blends that were created to be very balanced, yet complex. Everything is roasted fresh at my roastery in northeast Indianapolis.

Each roaster is going to be unique to themselves because we all have our own roast profiles. I roast coffees that I enjoy drinking.

Q: What is your favorite flavor from your company’s selection?

A: My favorite would probably be the “Brutally Honest” blend. It is a blend of Colombian, Ethiopian and Brazilian coffees. It is roasted to a medium/dark roast that really brings out notes of chocolate, berry and nuts. It is also a very versatile coffee for different brew methods, like espresso, French press, drip or cold brew.

Q: What’s the most rewarding part of producing/selling coffee products? What is the most difficult?

A: I love giving samples to people who are tentative about trying the cold brew or to people who say, “I don’t like cold coffee.” Then their eyeballs light up — not everybody, but most. It is enjoyable to give people a new experience.

Q: What do you like best about the Statehouse Market?

A: I love being a weekly vendor this year because I have been able to establish closer relationships with State of Indiana employees and the other vendors. I also like being able to provide fresh-roasted beans to people weekly, or if they just want a cup or jugs of cold brew to go back up to the office with.

Q: What do you hope the future holds for your business?

A: I hope to continue serving State of Indiana employees with hot coffee, cold brew and bags of fresh-roasted coffee beans.