Brewing Community: High Tide Coffee's Rise from San Clemente to Oceanside
Well on their way to becoming a Southern California coffee community staple, High Tide Coffee is making waves.
Founded in San Clemente, High Tide Coffee has since expanded into Laguna Nigel, and most recently, Oceanside. With some help from their two children, husband and wife duo Scott and Annie Kendall have worked to bring exceptional coffee and genuine connection to the vibrant community of coffee lover's in their three locations.
A partner of First Light Surf Club, we're excited to feature the people behind the coffee that has fueled many of our early mornings.
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Q. Can you briefly introduce yourself?
Annie - Hi, I am Annie I am the owner of High Tide Coffee. I own the business with my husband Scott and we have 3 locations total, with our newest shop in Oceanside.
Q. What initially sparked your passion for coffee, and how did that lead to the opening of High Tide Coffee?
Annie - Before even drinking coffee I was drawn to the community and "Cheers" like atmosphere. I then got a job during college at Peet's Coffee where I was able to have community events – art shows, live shows, and kids events. After over a decade working in the corporate scene, there were no more options for moving up, and I was not able to be creative. Leaving a corporate job was very scary and nerve-racking, but I felt a real calling to own and operate our own business.
Q. Was there a specific moment when you knew High Tide was becoming something special?
Annie - After 6 months as a pop up in a yoga studio, we subleased from a bakery across the street and opened on a Saturday. It was crazy! I think before we opened we were not sure how it was going to go. I remember doing the dishes and closing the shop with Scott in disbelief. We both knew we had started something special. It was a real coffee shop! The community had really shown up for us! We are still in the same spot but have taken over the whole building, and we got through years of a window service during Covid.
Everything we do for this shop the customers get so excited and appreciative. We would not be where we are with out our San Clemente loyal customers.
Q. You recently opened your third cafe in Oceanside. What specifically led to the decision to expand into Oceanside, and what unique aspects of this community attracted you?
Annie - When the coffee shop originally opened in Rising Co (community center in Oceanside), we were just opening up the San Clemente shop. They asked if we wanted to open down there. At that time we could never imagine having two shops. About 6 years later and the opportunity presented itself again. We could not say no. We love the community that Rising Co has already created. We love how prideful Oceanside is of their city! In Orange County it is pretty sleepy, so I love seeing the community out and about and thriving! We cannot wait for High Tide to become more integrated into the community.
Q. What does community mean to you, and how are you building/fostering community through your three cafes?
Annie - We know every company says that community is king. But it really is what motivates us. We are an inclusive community and believe everyone is welcome in our cafes. One of my favorite parts is when I see regulars getting to know each other, unlikely friendships in other circumstances.
We love putting on events to support makers and artists. We see the need for families and parents to have community, so all of our spaces are kid friendly. I could go on and on! But I think you can feel it when you walk in!
Q. You’re a husband and wife duo running High Tide, and oftentimes your kids even get involved. What's it like running a family business, and what do you hope to model to your kids as small business owners?
Annie - Sometimes very chaotic! When we first started our oldest was one. When the pandemic started I had a 3 month old! Most the time it is a gift. We have freedom to be home when our kids are sick, we can be at all the school events. I can work from my phone. I would like them to see our passion, empathy, hard work, and resistance. I hope they see how much we care about people over profit.
Q. Were there any unexpected challenges you faced while expanding your business throughout SoCal? Or any exciting opportunities?
Annie - Every day there is an unexpected challenge, that is what keeps it interesting! There are so many moving parts in owning a business: customers, employees, equipment, city, health department. I think the hardest part is probably the construction of a new shop, but then you forget about it and want to do it again! Right now our biggest challenge is our roasting program growing and expanding, and trying to figure out what our next steps are.
Q. What is your go-to coffee order?
Annie - Currently in the AM I stick with Snickerdoodle hot with oat milk and in the afternoon a seasonal matcha, right now I have been loving the Matcha Yuzu Soda.
Q. Do you have any words of advice/encouragement for anyone looking to open a coffee shop or expand their business? Is there anything you wish you had known?
Annie - I loved the way we started our business: baby steps. I worked in the coffee scene for a decade and worked up to a manager. Then we started with farmers markets, etc. I personally would not recommend starting with a lease and opening cold turkey. It is expensive! I would find a niche, ask yourself, how do you want to stand out, what does your community need? I was given great advice when we were opening: customers don't care that much about decor, they care about quality and how they feel when they are there. Focus on that!
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Visit High Tide Coffee at their Oceanside location, 332 S Coast Hwy, Oceanside, CA.
Follow along there journey here.
