SLO coffeehouse and hangout is closing for renovations. Find out what’s coming
An all-in-one art gallery, coffeehouse and lounge space is temporarily closing for a month to renovate the space and upgrade its dining experience.
The Bunker SLO is about to enter a “creative cocoon” to build out its outdoor patio space and expand its full-service coffeehouse and eatery known as The Undergrounds.
“Now that we’re fully taking over the kitchen, I’m pretty excited,” owner Missy Reitner-Cameron told The Tribune. “It’s going to make a more seamless experience for what people already know and love about The Bunker.”
The space’s renovations center around creating a more inclusive lounge space, with more couches and space for people to relax and socialize.
“I would prefer it to be a space where people could talk, color, play games, just something a little more third-space oriented, and not just work-oriented,” Reitner-Cameron said.
The Bunker’s spaces include an art gallery and workspace, a lounge area and a soon-to-be outdoor patio area with sculptures from local artists. It hosts different curated art shows, comedy shows and live music performances at night.
The big finish for the business wearing three different hats? Upgrading its own cafe. Nautical Bean currently serves its coffee at The Undergrounds until 2 p.m. but is soon to move to a new location next to the Trader Joe’s.
Reitner-Cameron is expanding the space to not only serve coffee and pastries during the day, but also beer, wine and even pizza during late night art shows and comedy nights.
“I believe culinary arts are the arts, too,” Reitner-Cameron said. “When you feed people and they’re happy, and they’re surrounded by all this cool art, it just feels very magical to me.”
The Undergrounds will serve coffee from Deltina Coffee Roasters and teas from Secrets Of The Garden, as well as make its own breads and pastries in-house. The cafe will be open for morning service every day, and serve evening beverages and grub Thursday to Sunday, Reitner-Cameron said.
How did SLO County ‘third space’ get its start?
The Bunker’s building at 810 Orcutt Road has been around since the 1940s, and used to be a plumbing supply company, then an empty warehouse, but Reitner-Cameron saw potential. She rented the building in 2014, using it as a shared space with local artists.
“At most we had 10 artists in there creating and doing their work in everything from media to somebody who decorated cakes to somebody who sewed, somebody who made jewelry and woodworking,” Reitner-Cameron said. “It was a really diverse group of artists.”
Reitner-Cameron then remodeled The Bunker over the pandemic and reopened in February 2023 with Nautical Bean’s pop-up, a lounge area and community events.
“I love the building, and I love it even more now than I ever have,” she said. “It’s just a really special spot.”
When will The Bunker SLO reopen?
The Bunker hosts curated art shows, karaoke nights, live music shows and open mic nights. Its final show before the big temporary closure is a comedy night hosted by Central Coast Comedy Theater on June 25, which is also Nautical Bean’s last day open in The Bunker’s space.
“We’re going to close down and then be back,” Reitner-Cameron said. “We’re ready. Hitting the ground running with The Undergrounds is really exciting for us.”
The Bunker is set to reopen the first week of August, Reitner-Cameron said. For more information about the business’s temporary closure and upgrades, visit its Instagram or website at thebunkerslo.com.