And Peet's was started as a local coffee shop on Vine St. in Berkeley in 1966 with the express purpose of the founder, a Dutchman Alfred Peet, to bring rich, strong Arabica coffee to his new home. By the time I moved to the Bay area in 1970, the cafe was well-established and often had a line out the door. Peet opened a 2nd location in Menlo Park in 1971. That was the same year that he mentored 3 guys, loaned them his roasted beans which they took to Seattle and started Starbucks. It's been sort of shocking to watch Peet's grow and be bought up. But Bill still likes Peet's Major Dickason blend which we now get at Costco.
It's wild to think that Peet's went from such a niche Bay Area brand to part of a global conglomerate. I used to love to stop at Intelligentsia in LA, only to learn they're now part of the same giant parent company!
Great essay, Heath. I have been getting my beans at a small independent shop/roaster here in NoVA, ever since I learned the Peets I had been drinking for a few years is connected to Israel's genocide in Gaza. We're also fortunate we have a lot of independent, family-run Vietnamese coffee shops.
And Peet's was started as a local coffee shop on Vine St. in Berkeley in 1966 with the express purpose of the founder, a Dutchman Alfred Peet, to bring rich, strong Arabica coffee to his new home. By the time I moved to the Bay area in 1970, the cafe was well-established and often had a line out the door. Peet opened a 2nd location in Menlo Park in 1971. That was the same year that he mentored 3 guys, loaned them his roasted beans which they took to Seattle and started Starbucks. It's been sort of shocking to watch Peet's grow and be bought up. But Bill still likes Peet's Major Dickason blend which we now get at Costco.
It's wild to think that Peet's went from such a niche Bay Area brand to part of a global conglomerate. I used to love to stop at Intelligentsia in LA, only to learn they're now part of the same giant parent company!
Great essay, Heath. I have been getting my beans at a small independent shop/roaster here in NoVA, ever since I learned the Peets I had been drinking for a few years is connected to Israel's genocide in Gaza. We're also fortunate we have a lot of independent, family-run Vietnamese coffee shops.
Thanks Maryann! You're lucky to have so many delicious options near you!