www.SDNEWS.com Volume 15, Number 28
THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 2010
San Diego Community Newspaper Group
Fine roast BY ADRIANE TILLMAN | VILLAGE NEWS
Bird Rock Coffee Roasters along La Jolla Boulevard has become a source of pride in the community as Bird Rock’s poster child for a local, successful business. It has also become a social hub for neighbors. Owner Chuck Patton has carved a niche in the market across the street from Starbucks Coffee. Patton describes the success of his business as an “organic” process that evolved stepby-step into its popularity today. “I didn’t get the idea to be in the business and then build a café the next day,” Patton said.
Mitt Romney draws a crowd One-time presidential candidate greets fans at local book signing
Turning locals into
BY ADRIANE TILLMAN | VILLAGE NEWS Former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney visited the Mormon-run Deseret Bookstore in University City to sign copies of his latest book “No Apology: The Case for American Greatness” on March 22. The line of people waiting to get their books signed snaked across the mall and into the parking lot. Romney said his book lays down actions America needs to take to remain “the strong, powerful hope of the world.” In a press conference following the book signing, Romney criticized the health-care bill that was passed Sunday, calling the bill unconstitutional. “This bill is an incursion into the commerce of various states that violates the Constitution and takes away an authority that is reserved to the states,” Romney said. As governor in Massachusetts, Romney signed into law a health-care bill that required residents to obtain health insurance. Romney said he has no current plans to run for president in 2012. “I’ll make that decision down the road,” Romney said. “I have no thoughts at this stage. Sometime after the elections in the fall or early next year, we’ll think about that.” Outside, Californians Against Hate activists protested on the street, calling on Romney to help stop the Mormon church’s fight against gay marriage. Romney said he won’t interfere with the politics of his church. “I don’t tell my church what to do politically and they don’t tell me what to do politically,” Romney said.
coffee
connoisseurs
“When I taste coffee, I look for something that’s unique and interesting, the same as you would for wine.” CHUCK PATTON Owner, Bird Rock Coffee Roasters Patton, who lives a few blocks from the store, taught English at Grossmont College and City College and knew nothing about the coffee business. He began roasting coffee as a hobby at home. Eight years ago, he turned his hobby into a business when he began roasting coffee commercially out of the VFW kitchen on Turquoise Street to sell at the La Jolla farmer’s market. Patton eventually purchased his first retail space — a kiosk behind Albertson’s on Turquoise Street — to sell cups of coffee. “At each step, I was better defining the brand and learning more about the cost of the operation,” Patton said. “I got excited about the possibilities. I realized that no one is doing this here. No one is doing a good enough job exposing people to good varietals.” Patton is now trailblazing his own business model for sourcing exceptional coffee by establishing direct relationships with individual farmers and rewarding them for the quality of their bean. For the past two years, Patton has traveled to places like Ethiopia, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Columbia,
At home in La Jolla The former Massachusetts governor purchased a house in La Jolla in 2008. Romney said he wanted to move to the area to be close to his two sons and six grandchildren who live in Rancho Bernardo. He had searched for a house in La Jolla and Del Mar to be close to the ocean, he said. SEE ROMNEY, Page 4
Bird Rock Coffee Roasters owner Chuck Patton turned his hobby into a business that has also become a social hub
SEE COFFEE, Page 4 for neighbors at 5627 La Jolla Blvd.
DON BALCH | Village News
Bird Rock Coffee Roasters offers coffee tastings — called “cupping” — for people to learn about the art and science of coffee every Friday at 10:30 a.m. at the store, 5627 La Jolla Blvd. For more information call (858) 551-1707.
Mitt Romney signs copies of his book at Deseret Bookstore on DON BALCH | Village News March 22.