I met Saadat Awan back around 2006, when as a regular customer of murky coffee near Washington DC, Saadat grew to love the passion that flowed through the baristas there as much as the coffees served. He loved it so much that he joined our staff for a few months, long enough to learn quite a bit about the barista craft.

Fast forward to last year (2014), and I got a call from Saadat that he was ready to open his own coffee shop in Los Angeles. Through a great deal of sweat, tears, and a bit of luck, Saadat designed and built his Echo Park neighborhood shop with his own two hands, albeit with some help.

Woodcat (a name for some type of rabbit) opened in September 2014, soon after we opened our own San Francisco cafe. Janine, Saadat's wife and partner, is an accomplished graphic designer and not only designed their delightful logo, but their signage and menu as well.

We've been fortunate to have had time to visit Janine and Saadat a number of times since Woodcat Coffee Bar opened, and we're beyond thrilled to see it packed with coffee-lovers every day, enjoying and appreciating the space that the Awans have created for them. 

We love you, Janine and Saadat, and we're so proud of you and the shop!

Woodcat Coffee Bar
1532 W Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90026
http://www.woodcatcoffee.com
@woodcatcoffee

Our first retail cafe presence in San Francisco was at Firehouse 8 on Pacific Avenue, and it was through one of our first baristas there that we were introduced to Amy Brown and Joe Wolf who were about to start Marla Bakery. Ever since the moment we met them, we've felt a kinship and affection that is truly special.

Almost as important as our friendship is our mutual respect and admiration for what each of us does, and when they called us to see if we'd be interested in partnering with them on Marla Bakery Kitchen Communal, we knew we were in it together for the long haul.

Together with Kathleen DeManti at A Spoonful of Sugar Cakes and Mandy Harper at Wholesome Bakery, the Kitchen Communal was a walk-up window cafe, offering our coffee alongside delectable treats.

Soon afterwards, construction began at 3619 Balboa Street on Marla Bakery's full-service restaurant, bakery, and cafe. Amy & Joe trusted us to develop and execute a coffee program that we could all be proud of, and in the summer of 2014, the doors opened.

2015 has already brought with it some interesting and exciting news that will bring new dimensions to our collaborative relationship with Marla Bakery, but in the mean time, we're proud to say that our cafe pastries are provided by Marla Bakery, and that Marla Bakery is proudly brewing and serving Wrecking Ball coffees. We love you, Amy & Joe!

Marla Bakery
3619 Balboa Street
San Francisco, CA 94121
http://www.marlabakery.com
@marlabakery