Sticking to the grind

Sara Wilson

For Tricia Harper, no scent is more familiar than that of freshly

ground coffee, and no place more like a second home than the Coffee

Pub.

Starting out as an employee at the age of 17, she worked there in

high school, on and off when she went away to college, and years

later when she returned. By then, she was married and had a desire to

raise her children in Laguna Beach.

Although she had not intended to become owner of the Pub, then

owners Hansje and Paul McHugh approached Harper about buying it

shortly after her return.

“It was always my dream to have my own place,” she said.

Despite her father’s warning that coffee was just a fad and

wouldn’t go anywhere, Harper purchased the Pub, becoming its fourth

owner. Now, three and half years later, it is still going strong and

holding its place in the history of Laguna Beach as one of the

original stores of the Lumberyard Mall.

Being somewhat hidden and at the far end of Forest Avenue, it is

mostly visited by people who live and work in town, she said. As

Harper sits at one of the tables in the back, she can look around and

name almost everyone in the cafe.

“We wouldn’t mind having more tourists, but at the same time, we

really like taking care of our local people, our regular people,”

Harper said.

Except for one change in 1985, when the previous owners knocked

out the wall and expanded the Coffee Pub, the physical appearance

hasn’t changed much since it was first opened in 1976. Instead, it is

the menu that has changed to keep up with the times. Whereas before,

it was mostly just a coffee place, now it has become a coffee and

lunch place. Also, since she purchased it in 1999, she has changed

the coffee itself, a change that appeals especially to her European

customers. Rather than using the standard one shot of espresso in a

12-ounce cup, she uses two, a recipe that she picked up during a trip

to Europe.

Though rent is high and Starbucks and Diedrichs are just down the

street, Harper has not suffered too much from the competition.

Instead, she recognizes the benefits that Starbucks has had on

high-quality, privately-owned cafes by introducing coffee to the

masses.

“Ten years ago, no one knew what a latte was. Now everyone knows,”

she said.

As for the future of the Coffee Pub, Harper has already been

approached by investors, but has no plans to sell or franchise. She

believes that quantity compromises quality.

“It’s never been a goal of the Coffee Pub to be a huge chain,” she

said. “It goes against what we believe in: being a small, local, mom

and pop store.”

* SARA WILSON is an intern for the Coastline Pilot. She writes

features and gathers news information. She can be reached at

494-4321.