In October of 1995 Doug Zell and Emily Mange left San Francisco to open an in-store coffee roaster-retailer on Broadway Avenue on the north side of Chicago. At that time they were simply hoping to bring great, fresh-roasted coffee to their own coffee bar. Their goal is that each coffee is presented in an environment steeped in education and humility. They want great coffee to be revered, yet democratic, approachable, and accessible. Intelligentsia’s award-winning brand was designed by Planet Propaganda who created a dignified, aspirational sensibility mark that commanded a place in the high-end coffee market.