[{
"name": "Ad - Medium Rectangle CC01 - 300x250",
"id": "AdMediumRectangleCC01300x250",
"class": "inlineCenter",
"insertPoint": "8",
"component": "2963441",
"requiredCountToDisplay": "12"
},{
"name": "Ad - Medium Rectangle LC01 - 300x250",
"id": "AdMediumRectangleCC01300x250",
"class": "inlineCenter",
"insertPoint": "18",
"component": "2963441",
"requiredCountToDisplay": "22"
},{
"name": "Ad - Medium Rectangle LC09 - 300x250",
"id": "AdMediumRectangleLC09300x250",
"class": "inlineCenter",
"insertPoint": "28",
"component": "3252660",
"requiredCountToDisplay": "32"
}]
A new coffee shop is brewing in downtown San Luis Obispo.
Nautical Bean Coffee House and Bistro recently opened its second location on the Central Coast and is serving up everything from locally made alcoholic beverages to international gourmet coffees.
In a town crowded with coffee houses, this coffee shop/eatery hybrid—located on historic Chorro Street across from Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa—plans on distinguishing itself with quality grub and a community-oriented business approach.
“There’s so many good cafés in town that all serve great coffee,” said Nautical Bean owner Brett Jones. “But what sets us apart is the amount of food we do; it’s like a mini restaurant. Our other shop has really become part of the community over there. We’re still in the building stages of the new location, but one of our first priorities is to get involved in the community.”
As for the coffee, Nautical Bean’s drip costs $1.60 for a small cup and $2 for a large. Favorite specialty drinks include the caramel sutra, mint chip mocha, and a chocolate butterscotch latte.
The food menu consists of breakfast foods, salads, sandwiches, and wraps. Top-selling items include the pesto turkey sandwich ($8.25) and the breakfast burrito, which is loaded with eggs, bacon, hash browns, cheese, salsa, cream cheese, and caramelized onions.
Nautical Bean’s décor features a modern industrial feel with exposed brickwork and air ducts. High ceilings and large windows create an open and airy environment, while a streetside patio allows patrons to enjoy SLO’s bountiful sunshine and makes for interesting people watching. The recently renovated building was completed in early April and business has increased since the opening.
“We haven’t even advertised,” Jones admitted. “We just turned on the open sign, and it’s been going great ever since.”
Open Monday to Sunday from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. and equipped with free wireless Internet, Nautical Bean has quickly become a popular study spot for students, while the convenient downtown location caters to tourists and professionals.
The wine selection features a rotation of Paso Robles-produced products, while the food is purchased from a local produce distributor and all the bread is delivered fresh daily from a local bakery.
“We’re a local, family-owned café,” Jones said. “And it’s very important for us to support local products as much as we can.”
Nautical Bean is at 1028 Chorro
St. in SLO. For more information, call 541-1300.
Fast facts
A 5K-community walk will be held on May 15 at Laguna Lake Park at 11 a.m. The event will benefit Congregation Beth David of San Luis Obispo and CAPSLO Homeless Services. Registration is $36 for adults (13 and older), $18 for ages 6 to 12, and free for children younger than 5. Sponsorships are available; for $200, your business or personal name will appear on the event T-shirt. For more information, call 544-0760 or visit cbdslo.org. ∆
Intern Kai Beech compiled this week’s Strokes & Plugs. Send your business news to [email protected].
Latest in Strokes & Plugs
