Successful Bay Coffee Company focusing on Manor location

It’s hard to believe its been almost six years since two enterprising businessmen decided to try their hand at opening a coffee roaster and caf in Pacifica.

Bay Coffee Company opened its coffee bean roasting operation and first cafe in a Palmetto Avenue storefront in April 2000. Last May, the owners, Brian Yoo and Joe Bondi, opened up a second caf in a very visible location in the Manor district across the street from McDonalds. Now, because business has been so good in the Manor location, they are honing their energies on that, closing the original Palmetto location and expanding their roasting operation into a larger warehouse in South San Francisco. The original Palmetto shop has been sold and will be reopened by new owner Mimi Husary in January as a caf that will offer more food options but will continue to sell Bay Coffee beans and coffee drinks.

“We’ll have a better focus now on our business in this store, said Bondi, explaining the decisions. “The bean roasting has been steadily growing and we have had more wholesale customers.

Those wholesale customers include more Pacifica businesses and restaurants that are choosing Bay Coffee Company for their freshly roasted beans. Yoo and Bondi are luring them in by making them an attractive package. They can receive coffee supplies and syrups for free, also free delivery.

Yoo and Bondi are talented marketers who have already reaped the benefit of donating to the schools and to the Pacifica non-profits. Their outreach has resulted in more customers discovering Bay Coffee and liking what they taste.

“It’s been great, Bondi said. “We like the support the community gave us.

Bay Coffee sells seven varieties of beans from single countries, including Columbia, Sumatra and Kenya. There are a couple of roasting options, such as French and Italian roasts, available. There are five kinds of signature blends, such as the Pacifica blend and the Foglifter. Organic options include blends and single countries of origin, including Ethiopia, Guatemala and Peru. Decaf options include Sumatra and Peru, plus various roasts and blends. Over the years, Bay Coffee has added two or three new varieties each year. Brazil is new, as are the seasonal Jamaica Blue Mountain and Pure Kona. In all, there are 22 whole bean options available on a typical day.

The store offers both regular and organic beans. There are more organic choices at Bay Coffee than anywhere in Pacifica and the price can’t be beat. Tea drinkers will appreciate that Bay Coffee serves a wide selection of Republic brand tea.

There is always a supply of fresh pastries and pre-made sandwiches available as well as bottled juice and water.

For the holidays, Bay Coffee offers special house-made gift baskets and specially packaged Joseph Schmidt chocolates, as well as Olivers cinnamon roasted pecans and almonds. Those nuts smell heavenly and are very tasty. Bars of Joseph Schmidt chocolate are available throughout the year. Soon to come sugar free chocolates.

Vegans, as well, can indulge in holiday treats at Bay Coffee Company. There a special “Mac the Chip cookie they’ll enjoy.

Bay Coffee beans are roasted and delivered to the store the same day. Yoo and Bondi estimate they roast about 50 pounds a day. Besides whole beans, the cafe serves coffee drinks featuring a special coffee of the day in mild, dark and decaf varieties. One option is always organic.

“This is one of the only places you can find organic fair trade coffee every day, Yoo said.

Caf workers serve up delicious frothy coffee drinks, both hot and iced. Iced coffee smoothies are really popular in warm weather.

Brian and Joe said they were surprised the business grew at such a rapid pace. The growth exceeded their expectations, but it’s been one of the best things and, at the same time, one of the most challenging things about their business. It’s been hard to manage a staff with a fair amount of turnover. Bondi and Yoo have been aware of their priority of keeping customers satisfied while responding to the needs of a growing business.

“It’s been a crazy ride for five years, said Bondi. “We’ve been faced with many challenges. We don’t know what the future holds. We’re excited by the way we consolidated. In our original store, we were brewing coffee by the cup. That led to our reputation in the early days. We paid close attention to our product.

It’s the compliments from the customers that keep them going. That and the continued runaway success of the Manor district location. When they first signed the lease, the property was in bad shape but they designed and completely remodeled it. When weather permits, they may offer outdoor seating. The shop offers free Internet access.

Yoo lives in San Francisco with his wife, Kim, and their six year old son, Minjae. They enjoy family activities during their free time, as does Bondi, a Pacifica resident and a single dad with an 11-year-old daughter, Nenah. They enjoy traveling.

Both share a true love for jazz music. They have written into their business mission statement a rather unusual provision that Bay Coffee Company will support jazz music. They have a live jazz band performing once a month on a Sunday. They play KCSF, 91.1 FM, commercial free jazz, in the caf and they support Pacifica’s jazz performers.

The South San Francisco roaster will allow Bay Coffee Company to grow even more. They will continue to offer what’s popular about their coffee – competitive prices and a good experience for their customers. Bay Coffee Company enjoys a loyal customer following and enjoys hearing from them.

“It’s what drives us to keep this going, Yoo said.

Bay Coffee Company is located at 330 Palmetto Avenue. It is open Monday through Thursday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, call 738-5935.