The Scoop on Destination Coffee & Cuisine Coming to Oakland!

Eric and Christy work on construction of their new place!

Have you seen the big news?  Oakland is getting a new specialty coffee and food shop and I’ve got all the details! 

Eric and Christy Baker bought the Blimpies building at 301 Pullen Avenue and are putting their culinary and business skills to work!  Expected to open in June, Destination Coffee & Cuisine will offer breakfast and lunch options complete with a drive-thru!  (As someone who hated getting their baby out of the car seat, this is big news for the area! Plus, you can actually drink that coffee on the way to work so you’re fresh and ready for the day!)

Breakfast will be full of drink options like specialty coffees, iced coffees, expresso, hot chocolate, and smoothies. The food items will be fast eat-on-the-go options like breakfast sandwiches, burritos, and rolls/donuts.  The Bakers are committed to being as healthy and as environmentally responsible as possible so the donuts will be baked! 

Lunch will be all about healthy sandwiches, somewhat in the fashion of Panera – different unique toppings that can be on or taken off but a set list with all the basics like ham, turkey, and roast beef, but with a little bit of a flair.  They will also offer sides including chips and cookies.  Plus, they will have wraps, soups, and salads, and not just the typical iceberg variety.  Christy has big plans for some creative salads – think tuna salad with feta, cherry tomatoes, and vinaigrette! Possibly my favorite part is that they will be adding an app so you can order ahead and pick up your to-go lunch when you grab your morning coffee and then just microwave it when lunchtime rolls around at work!

The Bakers have traveled all over and feel that their place should reflect that.  Look for there to be photos from all over the US and beyond as well as kitschy décor worthy of a restaurant with Destination in the name!  Not only will they be bringing their love of travel to the table, but they will be bringing their skills sets, too.  Christy will be lead on the accounting and finances which is her background and Eric brings the culinary and business experience as he helped his entrepreneurial class at Griswold put in a coffee shop at the high school. It seems to me they are pretty prepared for the long haul and it sure doesn’t hurt that they plan to run the operation together and be visible in the community (after living here for over 20 years and raising their kids here, they are well prepared for it).  They admired the mentality of former owners, Mike and Teresa Keiser, and intend to have the same presence. 

Want to get the scoop and keep up-to-date on all their progress? Be sure to like their Destination Coffee & Cuisine page on Facebook!

Best of luck, Bakers!  We’ll be ready to eat when you are!