Meet the Founders of The Great North Coffee, Portland’s Coffee Powerhouse

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TLDR

In a neighborhood as character-rich as St. Johns, it takes something authentic to stand out. That’s exactly what Matt Brown and Jonathan Felix-Lund delivered when they opened The Great North Coffee in 2016. What started as a single cozy shop on the northern edge of Portland has since grown into a four-location mini-empire, one that has earned the trust of both daily regulars and curious new visitors across Oregon and southwest Washington.

At the heart of it all? Two seasoned coffee professionals who brought nearly two decades of experience from Portland’s most respected coffee institutions into a community-centered cafe built on quality, consistency, and a quiet kind of confidence.

Good Coffee, No Gimmicks

At Great North, the focus is clear. You won’t find theatrics or over-the-top decor. What you will find is thoughtful, well-made coffee and a team that takes pride in doing things right.

Everything they serve is dialed in. The espresso program is powered by the classic La Marzocco Linea, paired with trusted Mazzer grinders and Ditting for drip. The team makes their own syrups, sauces, oat milk, and chai. That attention to detail comes through in every cup, whether you’re ordering a regular drip or trying one of their rotating seasonal drinks, like this spring’s Orange Blossom Latte or the Orange Blossom Houjicha.

They also run a strong food game. During the early days of the pandemic, they added a Turbo Chef oven to the lineup. It was a practical move that made it possible to serve hot, consistent breakfast sandwiches without slowing down the bar.

A Growth Story That Feels Personal

Since the original St. Johns location opened, Great North has steadily expanded. Another shop opened in Vancouver in 2020. Then came the opportunity to take over the former Lovejoy Bakers space in 2022, followed by a new home in the former Caffe Vita spot on NE Alberta.

Even as the footprint has grown, the approach has stayed grounded. Each location still feels like a neighborhood cafe. No two look exactly the same, but the sense of familiarity is there. There’s always good coffee, good people, and a pace that fits the day.

Behind the scenes, Matt and Jon still lead from experience. Their combined background in operations, roasting, retail, and service has helped them build a structure that scales without losing touch. They’ve also expanded into wholesale, partnering with other local businesses and bringing the same level of quality to cafes and counters beyond their own.