JAVA FOR YOUR JOURNEY®
In 1909 Walter Law left Wall St and began roasting coffee in his father George’s barn at his house “ShadowBrook”, in Dunellen, New Jersey. He sold his coffee traveling house to house in his horse drawn carriage. Walter brought with him his favorite marketing tool, a pill crusher. He would use this to crush the beans and release the coffee aroma under the nose of his potential customers – truly freshly ground.
With his father’s help, the company branched into the wholesale business of selling coffee to markets and restaurants throughout New Jersey.
A FAMILY TRADITION
As Law Coffee persevered through The Great Depression, Walter’s sons, Robert, Warren and Stanley, came on board to help their father roast and pack the coffee, as well as tea. When the United States entered World War II, all three brothers patriotically chose to join the Navy and help defend their country. Warren, the sole brother to return from World War II, took on the responsibilities of running the family business and helped transition the company to Newark, NJ.
Warren expanded distribution throughout NY and NJ, establishing Law Coffee as one of New Jersey’s finest, independently owned and operated coffee companies. Warren’s son-in-law David M. Mendez bought the company in 1984 and along with Warren’s son, Robert, they expanded its area of distribution throughout the Mid-Atlantic & beyond!
David’s son, David W. Mendez, joined the business in 2004 and, in 2018 was promoted to President then acquiring the company in January 2020 thus continuing the family principles of quality and integrity into the company’s second century of existence.
DAVID W. MENDEZ
PRESIDENT/CEO
David graduated from University of Delaware in 2003 with a double major in Marketing & Operations Management. Having grown up in the business (5th generation), he has worked throughout the entire company. In 2018, he was promoted to President, ultimately buying the company in 2020. In ’24 he has begun to consult for Sustainable Resources Group- helping to aid in the sustainability of the coffee industry. Outside of the office, you’ll find him lounging on the beach, hiking upstate or traveling the globe practicing with his family.
He sits on the board of directors of NJ Restaurant & Hospitality Association, Lerner Business College Alumni Board (University of Delaware) was a past President of the Metro Restaurant Experts.
His favorite coffee is our Costa Rican brewed through a single cup pour-over, served without milk.
DAVID M. MENDEZ
CEO EMERITUS
A graduate of Seton Hall University, David Mendez has been active at WB Law Coffee since 1978. He began his career at Proctor and Gamble before joining Law.
He attained the position of President in 1984, and President / CEO in June of 1985. He and his wife Debra have raised three children and have two grandchildren. Dave has been involved in coaching youth sports as well as serving numerous business, service, nonprofit and religious organizations as a volunteer, board member, and officer. He enjoys golf and the Jersey Shore.
Dave’s favorite coffee for over 30 years is the Laws House Blend, 2 1/2 ounces of coffee per 40 oz. of water made in a Bunn brewer. It hits the spot every time!
ANTOINETTE MARMORA
CHIEF BEAN COUNTER (CFO)
Active here since 1998, Antoinette holds a BA in education, a BS in accounting and an MS in Finance from St. Peters University. She is a Certified Public Accountant and an adjunct professor teaching Taxation and Finance in a Master of Science accounting program. She has been employed with Law Coffee since 1998 and currently holds the position of CFO. Her favorite leisure activity is running and has run several marathons including the NYC marathon and the Boston marathon.
Antoinette’s favorite coffee is Law’s Hazelnut.