Popular SLO coffeehouse closes 1 of 4 locations. Here’s why
A popular San Luis Obispo coffeehouse chain has closed one of its four locations.
BlackHorse Espresso & Bakery, located in the Bear Valley shopping center on Los Osos Valley Road near several car dealerships, had its final day of operation on Friday.
“We are sad to be leaving Los Osos Valley Road,” the store posted in signs on its door. “We enjoyed our time here. Come visit any of our other three locations to get your favorite BlackHorse goodies. We appreciate your loyal customers.”
Owner Tom Brown, 72, said he’s getting older and wanted to divest from the coffee shop, which opened in September 2013.
He said he has no immediate plans to close any of his other three locations.
“It has been a good place to do business,” Brown said. “I’m divesting and have some other business opportunities in mind. There has been some interest in a new owner operating a coffee shop there, but nothing is final yet.”
Los Osos Valley coffeehouse closes, workers transfer
Brown said that employees at the Los Osos Valley Road location have been offered the opportunity to transfer to other locations.
“We really value our customers, and our employees,” said Brown, BlackHorse’s sole owner. “Some employees may transition out, but we want to allow them the chance to work at our other shops.”
Addison Reimer, a Cal Poly nutrition major who has worked at the Los Osos Valley spot for the past couple of months, said she’ll be working at the BlackHorse coffee shop on Broad Street, keeping the same number of hours.
“I have already gotten to know some of the people there,” Reimer said. “I have a lot of night classes, and working coffee shifts around my schedule ... works well.”
Los Osos Valley Road shop manager Jake Liuag said his plan is to transition into bartending. But he said he may pick up a few shifts at BlackHorse’s Broad Street location.
Ten employees, mostly Cal Poly students, worked at the Los Osos Valley location.
“We served a niche clientele that lives and works on this side of town,” Liuag said. “I’ll miss some of the regular customers. I’ll miss making coffee. I learned a lot here. I’m not a morning person, but I’ve had to learn to wake up at 4:30 a.m. and stay on schedule.”
Customers line up for BlackHorse’s last day
Liuag said people like BlackHorse for the unique flavor of its coffee, which has a smokiness with hints of chocolate and cherry.
He said customers flocked to Los Osos Valley location on its final morning in long lines.
Liuag said that the store saw ups and downs with customer traffic, and began closing at 3 p.m. instead of 5 p.m. because of lighter business in the afternoon.
The BlackHorse location on Foothill Road eventually could be replaced by a new multi-story, mixed-use development proposed at the site. But Brown said the business will remain open.
On San Luis Obispo’s west side along Los Osos Valley Road, two coffee locations remain — the Starbucks in Target and Nautical Bean in the Laguna shopping center.
“Having competition is good,” Brown said. “It sharpens your skills. I’d be happy to see another coffee shop move in.”
This story was originally published January 10, 2020 at 4:16 PM.
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