Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company, the artisan roastery that serves as a community hub, was founded by Teri Hope more than 45 years ago. That makes it the longest-running coffee roaster in Silicon Valley. But the enticing smell of roasting beans has been absent from our town, ever since a speeding Volvo crashed into the “bar” side of the building last Thanksgiving. It remains boarded up, though the “cafe” side is now open.
Over at the damaged “bar” side, renovation progress awaits permit approvals from the Town.
Local architect Gary Kohlsaat, known for custom home design, Victorian restoration and residential remodeling since 1987, submitted plans approximately 60 days ago.
Yes, a bit more of 2026 may come to LGCRCo. even though it may still look as quaint as it used to.
The appliances will all be new; the roaster will still be the roaster; and you can expect tables and comfortable chairs.
In speaking with Dylan Phillips, LGCRC’s operations manager, I learned that business has been down a bit. That, he says, is “mostly due to the smaller space available for live music lovers on music nights. We were used to both portions (cafe side as well as the bar side) being full of folks on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.”
Phillips also stated, “I love coffee and the art of coffee, the art of the beans—a business that gives back. We can’t wait to be completed with the bar side, and be fully open again.”
Soon, soon we hope.
Showcasing Rudy Rucker’s art
LGCRC installed a new art show recently. And it’s not your average art exhibit. It’s a showcase of the work of Rudy Rucker, an acclaimed mathematician, computer scientist and founding father of the 1980s cyberpunk sci-fi movement. He is also a longtime resident of Los Gatos.
Rucker also served as a San Jose State University computer science professor. Rucker is a celebrated science-fiction author and a painter. Many of his “far out” works are currently hanging on the walls at LGCRC.
He mentioned to Hope that he wrote some of his sci-fi stories while seated in her cafe.
If you have read any of his mind-bending books, you’ll notice his paintings echo that transrealism you may enjoy. And of course, his works are available for purchase.
(Dinah Cotton / Los Gatan)
California State District 28 “Business of the Year”
Gail Pellerin presented a framed “Business of the Year” certificate to Hope and Phillips on Friday, June 26 at LGCRC. Phillips said it was a humbling experience. “It was an honor to be recognized by Assemblymember Pellerin for this award,” he said. “I know how hard our team works, and we do not seek the recognition—we seek to take care of our customers and continue to be a cornerstone within the community.”
Hope recommended to Assemblymember Pellerin, “return to Los Gatos for Tony Lindsay, on July 22, with The Soul Soldiers for Jazz on the Plazz.” (Pellerin lives in Santa Cruz County.) If you drop by, LGCRC brochures are available for the entire eight-week Jazz on the Plazz series. Free outdoor concerts, seating is available stage-front.
You can count on a huge celebration hosted by LGCRC when the bar half finally reopens. I think that the entire town will be at this celebration. After the tragic crash last Thanksgiving—which resulted in the death of the man behind the wheel—the cleanup took weeks. The damage was unbelievable.
The drawings are now into the Town for the proposed repairs. We will keep you posted.
