Coffee People's roots in Oregon can be traced to the Saturday Market in Eugene Oregon. Small amounts of specialty grade coffee were roasted and offered it for sale at the Saturday Market. The first Coffee People Coffeehouse was opened in 1983 on NW 23 Street in Portland.
In July 1999, Coffee People became part of the Diedrich Coffee Family. The rich authentic coffee heritage of Diedrich Coffee and the product portfolio of Coffee People have proved to be a perfect match. While Coffee People continues its creative, local, and innovative approach to coffee service, Diedrich Coffee, a high end specialty coffee roaster, now expertly roasts Coffee People's special blends according to traditional Coffee People recipes to honor the heritage of this concept, pioneered in Portland.