BOLT Coffee Midland turned 12 this year and former sales representative Jaime Rhee shares some memories of the coffee business’ impact in the area ahead of celebrating the anniversary with the community on November 16.

Beginning in Hazelmere with the founder Steve Lomax roasting out of a barbecue, according to Ms Rhee, Bolt Coffee made its humble introduction to the Swan area built on quiet dedication before it became the community hub its known as today.

After 12 years, Bolt Coffee has been able to give back to Midland not only as a hospitality venue but a contributer in the community through their support of other charitable organisations such as DreamBuilders Care.

“We just had DreamBuilders extension open next door which is a really fantastic charity organisation,” Ms Rhee said.

“We actually had a bit of a helping hand in not only getting them that venue, but also being a part of their opening day, which was really exciting.

“The director of DreamBuilders, Ursula, is a great woman and we had our staff work super hard to help make their opening day.

“We have no future collaborations planned as of yet, but anything to do with such a wonderful person as Ursula, I’m sure that we would jump at the opportunity if we could ever help them out with anything.”

The venue has also fostered lifelong connections in the community with performers and patrons alike.

Ms Rhee said one of their main venue musicians Ari Davis met his wife while performing at Bolt and in 2023, Bolt Coffee also hosted a wedding at their Midland venue.

“As for the community it really is incredible how, within the first year alone, I could probably name 50 customers from memory along with their orders, because it really is a family kind of setting,” she said.

“When you see someone for their morning coffee, three or four days a week, you get to know more than just their order.

“You get to know them as a person, which is really wonderful.”

Ms Rhee said celebrating the 12th year of Bolt Coffee was also a celebration of their strong current leadership duo, owners Kate Saldaneri and Brooke Whittingham.

“They have taken what (former owner) Steve Lomax planted and made it into something even more incredible,” she said.

“They work so tirelessly and so effortlessly between the two.

“Brooke roasting and Katie keeping everything together behind the scenes and they do the Midland crowd proud by keeping the place running so well.”

As for the name Bolt, former owner and founder Mr Lomax built his first roaster from items that he had found on the side of the road and said that journey was the source of inspiration.

“It initially started with a patio heater, a camping stove ring and a red handle from a catering can opener,” the Bolt coffee team shared on a social media post.

“He couldn’t finish it because he was missing one crucial piece, a bolt, to fix the shaft to the drum.

“It was an imperial thread and the right size was nowhere to be found.

“One day, at his house, Steve felt guided to a particular old tin that had been left behind by the previous owner, a railway worker named Vincenzo.

“Steve reached into the tin and pulled out a few things, including a bolt and he thought that might work.

“He tried the bolt and it was a perfect fit.

“When it came time to decide on a name for the business they were building, the memories of finding that bolt came flooding back.”