The new Thomas Hammer Coffee shop in the Vandal Store is holding a grand opening event starting Monday, Jan. 23 and ending Friday, Jan. 27. There will be free Joe Vandal coffee mugs to the first 50 customers Monday morning as well as free drip coffee the whole day. During the rest of the week, they will offer free Thomas Hammer swag items with a purchase, such as stickers, lanyards, pins and koozies while supplies last.
The Auxiliary Director for the University of Idaho, John Kosh, is excited to have a regional coffee chain located on campus.
“They have a good vibe, great coffee, and Vandal flair,” Kosh said.
The decision to put a new coffee shop where Starbucks was until May 2022 was decided by a survey of UI students done by Auxiliary Services. Thomas Hammer Coffee moved into the location in November.
Thomas Hammer Coffee Roasters is a regional coffee company that originated in Spokane, Washington. Since its founding 30 years ago, they have opened a number of coffee shops all over the northwest and the University of Idaho is the latest addition to their numerous locations across Idaho and Washington.
The owner of Thomas Hammer coffee: Thomas Hammer, said he is excited to have a location in Moscow, especially on the UI campus.
“The university has been a great partner; I’ll tip my hat to them,” Hammer said.
Hammer also shared a small connection to the university before this location opened. “My father was a Vandal, and so was my aunt,” Hammer said.
Besides good coffee, Hammer is proud of the style of company that he runs.
“I like to think that we are a customer service company that also serves coffee,” Hammer said. “If it wasn’t for the team that I have, we wouldn’t be where we are right now.”
Community outreach and customer service are highlights of Thomas Hammer coffee. They are willing and eager to get in touch with the UI campus community and will constantly work with the university to fit in with the campus. If any students have any recommendations or questions, they can go to the Thomas Hammer Coffee website and click on the “Chat with Tom” tab.
Hammer also wants to encourage any entrepreneurs on campus, being a homegrown entrepreneur himself.
“If I can do it, so can you,” Hammer said.
Ben Dewitt can be reached at [email protected]