Ahrre Maros is the first American-born child of Hungarian parents who fled Hungary during the 1956 Revolution to escape Soviet occupation. Raised in an immigrant family in Summit, NJ, Ahrre is fluent in both Hungarian and English, and has maintained a deep connection to his Hungarian heritage while embracing his American identity. His name, Ahrre (pronounced like the letter “R”), is a variation of his birth name, Árpád, reflecting his unique cultural roots.
After graduating from Summit High School in 1978, Ahrre embarked on a self-employed venture, starting a chimney sweeping business in the Summit area. This early experience of running his own business sparked a lifelong passion for entrepreneurship. In September after graduation, he moved to California to attend college and to pursue a dream of acting, but continued his chimney sweeping service through his twenties, building a loyal clientele on both coasts.
Ahrre attended the University of California, Santa Cruz, initially pursuing acting but soon shifting his academic focus to political science. After earning his Bachelor’s degree, he moved to Berkeley, California, where he became a regular at Peet’s Coffee & Tea, a small but renowned gourmet coffee chain at the time. He quickly became accustomed to the fresh-roasted, high-quality coffee Peet’s offered, which contrasted sharply with what was available in New Jersey. His love for the coffee culture of Berkeley led him to bring pounds of Peet’s coffee back to New Jersey during visits, where his friends humorously dubbed him “CoffeeBoy.”
In 1988, during a visit to his parents, a friend jokingly suggested that Ahrre should open a coffee roastery in New Jersey. The idea resonated with him, and he returned to California determined to make it a reality. He got a job at the original Peet’s location — corner of Walnut and Vine in Berkeley — to learn the ropes of the coffee business and enrolled in a “Starting and Operating Your Own Business” class at UC Berkeley’s Extension Program. With the support of his professor and Peet’s manager, Ahrre began planning his coffee venture.
On February 10, 1990, Ahrre’s Coffee Roastery first opened its doors in Cranford, New Jersey, just after Ahrre’s 30th birthday. By the third anniversary of the store, Ahrre had expanded to three locations: Cranford, Westfield, and his hometown of Summit. However, as time went on, the landscape of the business evolved. The Cranford and Summit locations eventually closed, while a web presence grew and the roasting operation moved to Plainfield. Ahrre’s Summit store, however, was revived, and his business continues to thrive.
Now 35 years after its opening, Ahrre’s Coffee Roastery remains a staple in the Northern New Jersey area. As Roastmaster, Ahrre has built a reputation as the go-to expert for fresh-roasted coffee, blending his entrepreneurial spirit with a deep love for quality coffee and his cultural roots. Today, his coffee roastery continues to serve the local community, where Ahrre’s commitment to excellence in both product and customer service makes him a beloved figure in the region.
Vendor Biography
Ahrre Maros is the first American-born child of Hungarian parents who fled Hungary during the 1956 Revolution to escape Soviet occupation. Raised in an immigrant family in Summit, NJ, Ahrre is fluent in both Hungarian and English, and has maintained a deep connection to his Hungarian heritage while embracing his American identity. His name, Ahrre (pronounced like the letter “R”), is a variation of his birth name, Árpád, reflecting his unique cultural roots.
After graduating from Summit High School in 1978, Ahrre embarked on a self-employed venture, starting a chimney sweeping business in the Summit area. This early experience of running his own business sparked a lifelong passion for entrepreneurship. In September after graduation, he moved to California to attend college and to pursue a dream of acting, but continued his chimney sweeping service through his twenties, building a loyal clientele on both coasts.
Ahrre attended the University of California, Santa Cruz, initially pursuing acting but soon shifting his academic focus to political science. After earning his Bachelor’s degree, he moved to Berkeley, California, where he became a regular at Peet’s Coffee & Tea, a small but renowned gourmet coffee chain at the time. He quickly became accustomed to the fresh-roasted, high-quality coffee Peet’s offered, which contrasted sharply with what was available in New Jersey. His love for the coffee culture of Berkeley led him to bring pounds of Peet’s coffee back to New Jersey during visits, where his friends humorously dubbed him “CoffeeBoy.”
In 1988, during a visit to his parents, a friend jokingly suggested that Ahrre should open a coffee roastery in New Jersey. The idea resonated with him, and he returned to California determined to make it a reality. He got a job at the original Peet’s location — corner of Walnut and Vine in Berkeley — to learn the ropes of the coffee business and enrolled in a “Starting and Operating Your Own Business” class at UC Berkeley’s Extension Program. With the support of his professor and Peet’s manager, Ahrre began planning his coffee venture.
On February 10, 1990, Ahrre’s Coffee Roastery first opened its doors in Cranford, New Jersey, just after Ahrre’s 30th birthday. By the third anniversary of the store, Ahrre had expanded to three locations: Cranford, Westfield, and his hometown of Summit. However, as time went on, the landscape of the business evolved. The Cranford and Summit locations eventually closed, while a web presence grew and the roasting operation moved to Plainfield. Ahrre’s Summit store, however, was revived, and his business continues to thrive.
Now 35 years after its opening, Ahrre’s Coffee Roastery remains a staple in the Northern New Jersey area. As Roastmaster, Ahrre has built a reputation as the go-to expert for fresh-roasted coffee, blending his entrepreneurial spirit with a deep love for quality coffee and his cultural roots. Today, his coffee roastery continues to serve the local community, where Ahrre’s commitment to excellence in both product and customer service makes him a beloved figure in the region.