Downtown SLO coffeehouse to shut down. ‘This was a difficult decision’
San Luis Obispo is losing a downtown coffeehouse, one dedicated to giving formerly incarcerated individuals job training and employment.
After just over three years in business, The Bridge Cafe at the Katcho Achadjian County Government Center, 1074 Higuera St., will permanently close on Tuesday, March 31.
The coffeehouse, breakfast and lunch spot is owned by Restorative Partners, a nonprofit organization that provides services and programs to people in-custody and recently released from state prisons, SLO County Jail and Juvenile Hall.
The Bridge Cafe is closing after the nonprofit’s board of directors chose to not renew the cafe’s lease, according to a recent social media post.
“We appreciate the opportunity to have operated The Bridge Café and the support we received along the way,” Restorative Partners leaders said in the post. “While this was a difficult decision, it is the right one for the organization at this time.”
What is The Bridge Cafe in SLO?
The social enterprise project gives people who were involved in the justice system a place to find community, job experience and a supportive environment to re-enter the workforce, according to the cafe’s website.
The cafe offers a variety of sweet and savory breakfast options, along with burgers, sandwiches and tacos for lunch. It also sells baked goods, teas, coffee and espresso drinks.
“The Bridge Cafe allows the community to change lives and engage in restorative practices in a simple way: by grabbing a bite to eat and meeting our staff,” the cafe said on its website.
The restaurant urged those with gift cards or loyalty points to visit the Higuera Street location before they close down at the end of the month.
The Bridge Cafe is currently open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Why is downtown SLO cafe closing?
The Bridge Cafe said it no longer made financial sense to keep the restaurant open.
“After careful review, the Board determined that continuing operations at the current location was not financially sustainable,” leaders said in a note pasted to the cafe’s door.
SLO County is now considering its options on how to fill the space in the future, county spokesperson Jeanette Trompeter told The Tribune. The county does not currently have a new tenant lined up to move into the spot.
Restorative Partners said it remained grateful to the county, customers, visitors and donors who supported the venture over the years.
“We thank you for your loyal patronage and wish all of you much happiness in the future,” the cafe said on Instagram.
