General Manager and Part Owner, Lakota Coffee

You might say that Andrew DuCharme was raised on coffee and dreams. Some thirty-one years ago, his parents moved from Texas to Columbia to take a chance. He was seven when they opened Lakota Coffee in The District. Today, under Andrew’s management, Lakota also operates two other locations — one on Green Meadows Drive — and one on the University Hospital campus and sells products and merchandise online as well.   

After graduating from Mizzou with a degree in hotel and restaurant management and a minor in business management, Andrew became manager of the family business. That didn’t just happen overnight. His career began with restocking soda and snacks in the shop before moving to barista, supervisor, assistant manager, and general manager. Along the way, he developed a passion for small-batch coffee roasting, twenty-five pounds at a time.  

But Andrew also developed a passion for Columbia, making in-kind and monetary donations to local nonprofits totaling more than $30,000 last year.  

“Columbia is an amazing place to live and raise a family,” Andrew says. “I’d love to see more support for entrepreneurs that want to start their own businesses. Columbia’s local businesses are deeply connected to our community, and when local businesses thrive, community members and the economy thrive as well. I’ve enjoyed mentoring people that desire to own their own businesses.” 

One of his proudest accomplishments is opening Lakota Coffee’s south location. It was established only a year before the pandemic presented challenges to the viability of any small business, but especially one that relied upon in-house customers. Andrew led his staff and the business safely through both, and Lakota Coffee continues to thrive.  

“Andrew’s work ethic and dedication to Lakota Coffee, which I believe most would agree is now a Columbia household name, can be witnessed each and every day,” says Logan Gray, vice president of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. “I have observed his efforts firsthand, along with the countless hours required to carry out his family’s coffee legacy. As anyone who has worked for or with a small business can relate, balancing all the stresses and complexities to not only make things work, but flourish, is an enormous feat.” 

Andrew continues to grow the family business, twenty-five pounds of beans at a time.  

Age: 38 

Fun Fact:

An avid golfer, Andrew dresses only in golf clothes so he’s ready to play at a moment’s notice.