| To celebrate National Independent Bookstore Day, which happened on Saturday, I’d like to shine a spotlight on a wonderful small business and local favorite called Lefty’s Coffee Co. in Los Olivos, California. When you visit Lefty’s Coffee Co., there’s a charming bookstore inside, where you can purchase recent publications, interesting titles and hand-selected works from small press and independent voices, with more books added all the time! Lefty’s also has several lounge chairs and tables, perfect for ordering coffee, buying a book and sitting down to spend a wonderful afternoon lounging with a great read. It’s a very special spot and an amazing small business—and it’s the only bookstore in Los Olivos. The store was named after the owners’ dog Lefty, and the location was a once-private home zoned for mixed-use that the owners, Jim and Laura Newman (also our neighbors) converted from a house into a coffee/book shop. Sadly Jim recently passed away but the spirit of Lefty’s continues on … as does its creativity. There’s even a little bike repair station there for bike riders coming through the area, who can put air in their tires, use the bike pump and utilize available bike tools. Super creative! Lefty’s is certainly the most popular coffee shop in Los Olivos, and a must-visit if you’re in town. They serve coffee from their organic coffee program and specialty coffee drinks, with different kinds of milk available and various baked goods like interesting muffins, cookies cinnamon rolls, gluten-free items and more. Plus, everything is fresh and locally sourced. On weekends, they offer two kinds of green juice: regular and spicy. Jim and Laura Newman built Lefty’s on a mission to create the perfect spot for coffee and sweets in Los Olivos. Lefty’s prioritizes local, organic, sustainable and small-scale vendors and business practices, and works with suppliers based on their commitment to fair trade and organic sourcing, with at least 50% of suppliers coming from the local area. The Newmans moved in from out of town, came up with the idea for the coffee show, created Lefty’s and stuck to a firm commitment to enhance the community with every detail. The store sells fruit from their own organic farm, sponsors an open mic night each month and overall, curates a very hip and fun vibe for locals and visitors alike. I’m proud to highlight this wonderful coffee/book shop on National Independent Bookstore Day and hope that if you find yourself in Los Olivos, you’ll check them out and maybe even try their famous spicy green juice … paired with an excellent book! – Andrew Manning • REALTOR® • Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties • DRE: 00941825 • 818-380-2147 • andrew@andrewmanning.com |
