It is with great sadness that we mourn the loss of Carissa Hinz. While she was volunteering at a nearby community event Friday night, she was killed by a hit and run driver.

Our deepest heartfelt sympathies go out to her family and friends. She was an artistic soul with a generous heart, and was beloved by neighbors, customers and her co-workers.

Carissa had been a barista at Bridgeport Coffee for over a year. There are no words that can convey how her family and friends feel, but we want them to know that we were graced by her presence and we will always remember her with affection and love.

Anyone with any information about the events of last night is urged to call 312-745-4521, the Hit and Run Division of the Chicago Police Department.

Bridgeport Coffee Company is opening two incredible new locations this summer (see below). We seek EXPERIENCED managers and baristas.

Independent specialty coffee or quality foodservice experience is absolutely required. You must have a passion for coffee!

Yesterday @dryagedkev tweeted: "You know @BridgeportCoff is a great place when you tell some1 you're there & you immediately get texted by several peeps 2 bring them coffee." Bridgeport Coffee is a great place to express your enthusiasm for top quality.

If you are a qualified specialty coffee or foodservice professional with a passion for great coffee, send your resume and information to us on our Careers page. The sooner the better!

Bridgeport Coffee is proud to announce our third coffeehouse location at the Hyde Park Art Center. "Founded in 1939, the Hyde Park Art Center is at once a contemporary art exhibition space, learning lab, community resource, and social hub for artists and art-curious alike."

2013 will be a year of great expansion for us — we have already announced our second location at Roosevelt Collection. Later we will announce actual opening dates to take place midyear.

Looking for a job with a growing company? If you are a qualified specialty coffee or foodservice professional with a passion for great coffee, send your information to us on our Careers page. Please watch our website, follow us on twitter, and like us on facebook for job openings as the opening date approaches.

The new 2013 harvest is now being roasted — and it is delicious.

"One of the best El Salvadoran coffees we've ever served," says Mike Pilkington, owner and roastmaster of Bridgeport Coffee. "The secret may be that it was dried on raised beds, the traditional method from Ethiopia."

This full-bodied rich coffee features sweet citrus and herbacious notes.

This is our third year of importing directly from El Salvadoran growers, the Lima brothers, whose farms consistently produce Cup of Excellence award-winning coffees.

The Santa Josefita Pacamara roast features the Pacamara cultivar and is distinct from our separate Santa Josefita roast, which consists of a Bourbon cultivar. Each coffee offers a unique and delicious flavor profile.

Now available in the coffeehouse at 31st & Morgan and in our online store.

The first roast of this year's harvest is Santa Josefita: the first direct trade relationship coffee imported by Bridgeport Coffee. Purchasing direct from growers is part of our company's mission — and our friendship with Santa Josefita's famers, the Lima brothers, is becoming stronger.

This roast is the classic Bourbon cultivar (classic sweet, medium body), now available in the shop and online.

About the growing region: The Apaneca-ILamatepec Mountains are located in the Northwest of El Salvador. The town of Ataco is a peaceful little tourist destination that is perpetually clean and freshly painted. It is a quaint little mountain village that the urban dwellers from Santa Ana and San Salvador come to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life.