Fort Collins--The Human Bean is now officially locally-owned as well as locally-operated. The new owners are Frank Sherman and Linkletter Holdings, LLC.
Sherman is a long-time Fort Collins resident.
The company was originally started by members of the Art Linkletter family. Art Linkletter was a radio and television icon as well as a best selling author. One of his best selling books, Kids Say the Darndest Things was No. 1 on the New York Times Bestseller list for over two years, selling over two million copies.
The Human Bean began serving customers in its Evans store in December, 2004.
According to the press release, it grew to eight stores before running into trouble due to fast growth.
The company declared voluntary Chapter 11 Debtor-in-Possession Bankruptcy in federal court in December 2008.
After declaring bankruptcy the company continued to decline and the stores closed in late 2009 due to failure to pay sales taxes to the Colorado Department of Revenue and other creditors.
The Linkletter family asked Sherman to reopen the stores and untangle the legal issues including bankruptcy.
Now the Human Bean is thriving.
The Human Bean provided over 1000 gallons of their award-winning coffee as well as water and Power Bars to firefighters throughout both fires.
During the High Park Fire, The Human Bean also provided its Farm Friendly Direct Arabica coffee to the American Red Cross Evacuation Center at The Ranch in Loveland.
