Suju's Coffee to Open Second Shop on Stevenson

Coffee lovers will soon have a second location to frequent for their Suju's Coffee fix.

Owner Mahesh Patel plans to open at 4949 Stevenson Blvd. later this week.

Since 1992, the original coffee house, located at 3602 Thornton Ave., has been serving caffeinated concoctions to commuters, students, and locals. Patel said because of the store's continued success, he wants to expand.

"We are maxing out; we are very busy," he said.

With a 4-star rating on Yelp, caffeine fanatics fiend for the variety of coffees offered at the shop.

Roasting more than 60 kinds of coffee and soon to be brewing 120 kinds of loose teas from around the world, the family-owned business remains competitive with big-named companies like Starbucks and Peet's Coffee & Tea. However, Patel said one of the main reasons they are still in business today is due to the community's continued support.

From hosting meetings to supporting local fundraisers, Patel tries show his thanks by staying involved with charitable organizations and events going on in Fremont. PTA meetings and "Coffee with the Cops" are often held inside the coffee shop's conference room.

Recently, Patel offered coffee cupping classes where folks can become coffee connoisseurs, learning anything from the history to making the perfect cup of joe — the "A to Z's" of coffee Patel calls it.

At the new location, Patel plans to offer the same menu and amenities. The building, which used to house a bank, has sat vacant for the past decade.

"It was a challenge, but we came through. Hard work pays off," Patel said.

He added that he looks forward to being able to better serve the other side of town, especially when it comes to jobs. He is looking to hire eight full-time and 12 part-time employees at the new location.

Patel has several plans set for the future, but said it is all up to the city's decision to allow them to move forward. One being a drive-thru at the new Suju's location. He also plans to expand to other East Bay cities like Union City, Hayward and Milpitas.

Aside from community support and having a great staff, Patel said size matters for an independent coffee house to survive in today's tough economy.

Making Suju's a gathering place for folks and "bringing more community people," into the shop is what Patel strives for.

To learn more about Suju's Coffee, visit www.sujuscoffee.com.

What's your favorite item on Suju's menu? Are you happy with the new location? Where else do you think a Suju's Coffee house is needed? Share your thoughts in our comments section below.

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