Bean me up, Scotty 

Though it cannot yet boast of its status as “the happiest town in America,” most can argue that Santa Cruz has every bit as much of a distinct vibe as the Central Coast with its rugged redwood forests, sublime surf spots, blissful boardwalk. So what happens when the atmospheres of two of California’s coolest small towns collide? SLO’s newest coffeehouse, Scout Coffee Co., proves that such an intense fusion is not as apocalyptic as one might expect. Founded on Monday, Jan. 20, by couple Jon and Sara Peterson, former employees of Verve Coffee Roasters, a triumvirate of Santa Cruz cafes, Scout Coffee possesses a fresh décor all its own, from its extensive tables carved from Douglas fir and Monterey cypress to its flamboyant floral wallpaper designs.

But, as one would hope, the real treasure of Scout Coffee is its menu, which features specialty drinks with all-natural recipes. For instance, their sparkling tea possesses no sugar, sweeteners, preservatives, or stabilizers. The same goes for all of their coffees, which vary from vanilla lattes to cappuccino.

Each of Scout’s 10 employees has been trained by the Petersons to provide the best in barista products. Even Scout’s baked goods follow the Petersons’ naturalistic philosophy.

Scout Coffee Co. is located at 1130 Garden Street in SLO’s newly renovated Stover Building, a historic location that was formerly Reveal Hair Salon, and is open seven days a week from 6:30 a.m to 8:30 p.m. For more information, visit scoutcoffeeco.com.

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