2 minute read
Clanking Mugs at Steel Cup Café Support local Long Beach businesses
Clanking Mugs at Steel Cup Café
Local, sustainable and delicious!
By Erin Haworth Photos by Lucas Sabatka
Tucked away in a little shopping center sits Steel Cup Café, a recent addition to the Long Beach breakfast scene. The origin of the cafe began all
the way in Minnesota where the two founders first met. After deciding that they were tired of the cold, they made the move to sunny Southern California, landing in our very own Long Beach.
With dreams of owning their own businesses and job opportunities scarce, they decided to take the leap and opened the Steel Cup Café.
Even though the cafe has only been open for
nine months, they have already begun to make an impact on Long Beach. Owners Nicholas Stoks and Marc Chitwood feel that cultivating a strong sense of community is vital for them. Growing up in
a small town, Stoks says that “in a small community you get a ton of support from everybody in the things that you do. I think a lot of people think that can’t happen in a bigger city such as Long
Beach.” He went on to say that one of the goals for the cafe was that they wanted “to make sure everyone feels welcome here.” Chitwood, who also acts as the executive chef, agrees.
“It’s very inviting here, I love the community and everyone that’s around. And being able to give back or provide a good service, it makes me happy,” Chitwood said.
Their goal of becoming a member of Long Beach’s community seems to have already come
true. Steel Cup Café hosts monthly pop-up markets on the second Saturdays of the month for other
local businesses and artisans.
This same philosophy applies to their attitude toward sustainability. “We are 100% biodegradable or compostable,” Chitwood explained, “and we
bake fresh everyday, so if we have any left over at the end of the day, we donate it to a local children’s shelter.”
As for the food, Chitwood is proud to use
ingredients from small and local farmers, and partnering with Equal Exchange, an organic, fairtrade and rainforest alliance company, in order to serve responsibly sourced coffee. For both Stoks
and Chitwood, the environment should never be compromised for a few extra bucks.
Steel Cup Café, located on North Lakewood near the Traffic Circle, is a prime place for
students and all those who live nearby. The cafe offers students a 10% discount, since “being a student is hard enough.” Stoks goes on to say, “I guess some words of wisdom are to believe in
