Bison Coffee House: A Dream Brewed into Community

Bringing People Together, One Cup at a Time

Bison Coffee House LLC, owned by, opened on Veterans Day in 2014 as a coffee house dedicated to serving the community and honoring veterans. The business features Native and local coffee roasters along with in house baking and a menu of specialty coffee and freshly baked items, including scones, biscuits, muffins, bagels, espresso coffee cake and more.

The inspiration for Bison Coffee House came from a dream. Guzman had a dream about a big bison, and after overcoming stage 4B cancer, she decided to open her own coffee business. She named it Bison Coffee House and created a space where all people are welcome.

Bison Coffee House has been in business from Veterans Day 2014 through October 2026 and will reach 12 years in business next month. Guzman says it is the only Native owned coffee shop in Portland.

At the heart of Bison Coffee House is a message of community and connection: “We don't have to agree on everything to be in the same space and we can get along to make change.”

For Guzman, the coffee house is about more than serving coffee. It is a place where people can come together and share the same space while finding common ground.

Being a minority owned business has a special meaning for Guzman. “It means we can do it and we can make a better day and future. It's up to each of us.”

Her advice to anyone who wants to start their own business is rooted in perseverance: “Make sure you have plenty of energy and keep showing up when others won’t. When it's hard, get up and push forward.”

Bison Coffee House is located at 3941 NE Cully Blvd., Portland, OR 97213. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Email bisoncoffeehouse@yahoo.com, or visit bisoncoffeehouse.com.