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News online for Encinitas, Calif.

North Coast Current

News online for Encinitas, Calif.

North Coast Current

Erin Harper stands in Old California Coffee House in San Marcos in August 2022 during the shop’s transition to Ascend Coffee Roasters. (NCC file photo by Jen Acosta)

From Mocha Marketplace, to Old Cal, to Ascend: San Marcos coffee shop set to close March 1

North Coast Current February 17, 2024
A longtime San Marcos spot for coffee and community gatherings will brew its last cup in Old California Restaurant Row on March 1. The Ascend coffee brand itself isn’t going anywhere, however.
Ascend Coffee Roasters owner Erin Harper talks to customers during the shop’s Carlsbad grand opening on Saturday, Jan. 6. (Ascend Coffee Roasters photo by Landon Drinkward)

Ascend Coffee Roasters expands to second location in Carlsbad

Charlene Pulsonetti January 23, 2024
Ascend Coffee Roasters of San Marcos recently held the grand opening for its second location in Carlsbad’s La Costa community.
Pannikin Coffee & Tea will soon occupy the former Bunker House Cafe in downtown Oceanside. (Urban Property Group photo)

Pannikin coffee to set up shop in historic Oceanside building

OsideNews September 23, 2023
Pannikin Coffee & Tea can now claim two historic coastal North San Diego County spots it calls home. The regional coffee institution is set to open a new location in a noteworthy building in downtown Oceanside.
Old Cal Coffee Co. co-owner Erin Nenow, pictured in the San Marcos shop on Aug. 24, says she works to build a cool, comforting environment for customers. (Photo by Jen Acosta)

Old Cal Coffee co-owner aims for new heights with Ascend roasters

Charlene Pulsonetti August 31, 2022
Cultivating a welcoming atmosphere is integral at Old Cal Coffee Co. in San Marcos, and co-owner Erin Nenow is hoping to take things a step further by focusing on the power of the bean itself with Ascend Coffee Roasters.
Cardiff resident Kyle Rosa mixes beans for Breakers Coffee + Wine in Carmel Valley on Feb. 17. Later this year, Rosa plans to harvest his own beans from his farm in San Marcos. (Photo by Jen Acosta)

Cardiff resident growing coffee beans in San Marcos for his shop near Del Mar

Roxana Becerril February 18, 2022
Starting this summer, Cardiff resident Kyle Rosa will harvest beans from his Bluetail Coffee Grove farm in San Marcos for Breakers Coffee + Wine near Del Mar.
The African Palmer, a blend of lemonade and coffee, is a featured drink at Sleeping Tiger Coffees in Carlsbad, one of several North County roasters building an artisan movement in the region. (Photo by Lauren J. Mapp)

Roasters brewing up artisan coffee movement in North County

Lauren J. Mapp November 21, 2018
Coffee has long been a major component of American breakfasts, but in recent years, a great number of small specialty coffee roasters have popped up in San Diego County, including Encinitas and Carlsbad.
At Swell Cafe's heart is a “fanatical, almost religious” devotion to coffee, according to Swell roaster Brian Gerhard, pictured Sept. 2 in the Flower Hill coffee shop. (Photo by Jen Acosta)

Swell Cafe brings art of gourmet coffee to rising tide of interest

Adam Burkhart September 3, 2015

(Swell Coffee closed in 2019) John Vallas, the owner of Swell Cafe, wants to start a conversation about coffee, and he’s bringing it to the Flower Hill Promenade shopping center, wedged between the...

Sugar Coffee & Tea in Leucadia offers a variety of drinks, including mochas. (Photo by Troy Orem)

Sugar Encinitas: A coffeehouse where everything’s nice

Debbie L. Sklar February 20, 2015

Need a little sugar with your coffee? If you’re in search of a signature cup of coffee minus the corporate setting, Sugar Coffee & Tea might just be up your alley. You won’t see any corporate...

Beans are roasted on the premises at La Costa Coffee Roasting in Carlsbad. (Photo by Helen Hawes)

Carlsbad roaster focuses on the art of coffee

Helen Hawes December 18, 2012

When Doug Novak talks about “a nuanced bouquet” and “flavor profile,” he’s referring to the craftsmanship involved in transforming raw ingredients into a rich drink. After all, he is an expert. But...

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Old Cal, new pal: Shop owners building connections

Lauren Ciallella June 25, 2012

Only a year and a half after taking over ownership of the Old California Coffee House and Eatery, Oceanside residents Giovanna and Craig Garcia are already leaving their mug-filled mark on San Marcos....

Cafe Ipe’s fresh roasted beans by Dan Scheibe of Revolution Roasters.

It’s Café Ipe, but you can call it Coffee Coffee

Lauren Ciallella April 24, 2012

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet … That goes double for Café Ipe because everyone insists on calling it “Coffee Coffee.” “We named it after the Ipe tree out front because we...

Java Depot has been serving up fresh coffee in Solana Beach for 16 years. (Photo by David J. Olender)

Java Depot — the cup stops here

Lauren Ciallella April 26, 2007

(Java Depot closed in 2017) Across from the Solana Beach train station, Bryan Fuller and his wife, Krista, opened the Java Depot 16 years ago with no restaurant experience. Standing on the innovative,...

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