Iconic Coffee Shop Loses Lease

August 2, 2018

Aptos Coffee Roasting has been given notice???

This past week I received news that our LOCAL coffee shop, Aptos Coffee Roasting, had been given walking papers from the management of the Rancho Del Mar Shopping Center.

I find this news very disturbing for numerous reasons.

To begin with, during the approval phases of the renovation of Rancho Del Mar Shopping Center, Terramar Retail Center, LLC assured the local community that local businesses would be retained. One of the representatives of the center actually stated that they “loved” Aptos Coffee Roasting.”

Supporting that stance was the fact that TRC (Terramar Retail Center, LLC) utilized Aptos Roasting to hold their meetings. They often just sat and occupied tables with or without purchasing anything from the coffee shop. Over the past several years during the planning stages of the remodel of the center, I personally witnessed the management team spending long hours occupying tables at Aptos Coffee Roasting in order to plan the massive renovation of the shopping center. The very people that served the coffee shop the 30 day notice thought it perfectly fine to hold their many meetings in the space, but have now refused to allow any and all negotiations to take place in order for this great shop to continue.

Another concern is the relatively short notice given to the coffee shop. It is quite clear that in order for a shop of its kind to move in a timely manner, enough notice must be given for a new and suitable location to be found. A thirty day notice is, simply put, not reasonable under the circumstances.

Aptos Coffee Roasting has been a tenant in the center for over 30 years. The owner tried to address upgrading and remodeling with a reasonable lease. This line of negotiation was shut down immediately despite the fact that he stated: “I have the desire and the resources to remodel Aptos Coffee Roasting into a cutting edge café operation. All I need is a reasonable term lease in order to make such an investment.”

All of the many loyal customers of Aptos Coffee Roasting, me included, have continued to frequent the shop despite the torn up parking lot and noise of construction. Many of us were truly looking forward to a newly renovated shopping center and coffee shop. We were shocked and dismayed with the news that would not be happening. We can only imagine how very disappointing it must be for the owners who have been valued members of our community for over 30 years.

It is my understanding that the only explanation given for the notice was as paraphrased: “Management has decided that the best tenant mix for the community does not include Aptos Coffee Roasting.” Apparently, management would not comment on which tenants may be coming into the center to replace this iconic local coffee shop.

This choice on the part of the management of Terramar Retail Center, LLC not only affects the employees of Aptos Coffee Roasting, who will now be facing unemployment, it also affects their suppliers including LOCAL bakeries, and dairies. The decision also affects LOCAL artists who take turns displaying art on the walls of the coffee shop.

Perhaps management would choose to reconsider what actually constitutes a “best tenant mix” and factor in what local voices might have to say about this.

Although my business is in Soquel, CA I have been an Aptos resident for over 30 years, I can assure anyone interested that almost EVERYONE that I know who lives in Aptos has, at some point, frequented that coffee shop. I personally know a great many people who are regulars of the coffee shop. I can also assure anyone interested that I will not EVER frequent a “replacement coffee shop” should it move into that location. There are other locally owned establishments where I will choose to spend my money. Supporting an organization that actively chooses not to support local businesses is not, shall we say, my cup of coffee.

If Aptos Coffee Roasting is able to relocate, then I will follow them. My dollars will be spent at their establishment in support of LOCAL business. If they are unable to find a new location, I will visit them as often as possible in their downtown Santa Cruz location. I will NOT support a chain coffee shop.

The very thing that makes the Santa Cruz County area unique is the strong representation of LOCAL businesses in the general community. Removing Aptos Coffee Roasting from our LOCAL shopping center does NOT represent the interests of most of the LOCAL residences. This “best tenant mix” is a ROTTEN brew that Terramar Retail Center, LLC wants to shove down the throats of the LOCAL residents of Aptos.

I fully support the staff, management and owners of Aptos Coffee Roasting. They have continued to represent the best of LOCAL business.

Sincerely,

Gwyneth Thomas

Avalon Visions Center For Creative Spirituality

2815 Porter Street, Soquel, CA 95073