An Indiana quality coffee-and-tea company has purchased Best Friends Cocoa, which has been based in Arlington since 2004.
Linda and Uri Guttman sold to Michael Layne, president of MDL Coffee & Tea LLC and owner of The Fine Grind, 120 E. Washington St., Greensburg, Ind. Terms of the sale were not disclosed.
“Our product was successful because it appealed to a very different type of customer,” Linda Guttman said. “Since it was all natural, low in fat and came in four flavors, more discerning customers wanted it.”
She added that because it was manufactured in a plant that was nut-free, lots of children with allergies could enjoy it. It was also a gluten-free product, adding to its customer base.
Best Friends Cocoa will again be available after about four years, as production is expected to begin soon. Availability in Arlington could occur by next winter.
“I’m pleased to know that so many loyal customers will again be able to enjoy this high-quality hot cocoa mix,” she said.
The name and formula for the mix will remain the same, she said.
In announcing the purchase March 24, Layne said, “We are so pleased to add Best Friends Cocoa to the MDL family. It is a great cocoa that fits very well with our commitment to provide the very best in coffee, tea and cocoa products to our customers both retail and wholesale.
“I have been around the coffee and tea industry since the late 1970s, and about three years ago, my wife, Donna and I, decided to open our own shop. Then last year we purchased The Fine Grind which is a custom coffee roaster that has been around since 1986.
Layne said Best Friends Cocoa has been marketed and distributed in several states throughout the East Coast since 1988.
Upon the completion of the company’s full-transition from Massachusetts to Indiana, production will be underway once again. MDL Coffee & Tea has also expressed that they will be opening up several positions within the company to support their latest growth.
MDL Coffee and Tea, a privately held company, provides custom coffee roasting, a variety of teas and cocoa. Its motto is “More than just taste,” referring to the quality of the products and customer service.
This story was published Monday, March 24, 2014.
