Groundwork Coffee Co. is back on Larchmont and now open for business with a new full-service café at 150 N. Larchmont Blvd. We stopped by yesterday for a sneak peek at the space and to chat with the staff getting ready for today’s opening.
The space has been completely renovated, exposing the old bricks from the original 1925 building and giving the feeling of a well used, slightly industrial space. Today, there will be a grand opening Brew Bash celebration, open to the public all day, serving free drip coffee and cold brew.
“Larchmont is one of L.A.’s oldest neighborhoods and it lies at the heart of the city,” says Groundwork partner Eddy Cola. “As a company with very deep roots here, it’s important for us to continue to be a part of this community’s daily lives. In other words, this is a passion project for us.”
According to the company, two of Groundwork’s company principal partners grew up nearby, and one got his start delivering coffee packages to nearby Paramount Studios before coffee was a hip thing. Founded in Venice Beach, in 1990, Groundwork Coffee Co., is a USDA certified organic roasting company, and Los Angeles’ largest organic coffee roaster. Café service at the new Larchmont Village location includes Groundwork’s certified organic coffee, tea and signature espresso drinks, prepared by skilled baristas, as well as a delicious made-to-order food menu, and an array of grab-and-go items and house-made baked goods, prepared daily.
Groudwork’s earlier iteration on Larchmont was a licensee partnership with Josh Pourgol, across the street, who rebranded the shop Bardonna when the associates parted company in 2017. Shortly thereafter, Groundwork announced it had leased space across the street. The new shop was originally scheduled to open in February, but Groundwork staff told the Buzz there were many delays due to the extensive work that was done on the building. But now it is finally open and, in keeping with the “Groundwork ethos – warm, inviting and embodying the flavor of the neighborhood.”
The new Groundwork occupies the former Sam’s Bagel’s space. The beloved bagel store moved to the other side of the building several years ago. With the opening of Groundwork and the announcement of Pacific Union Real Estate taking the top floor, it seems the former home of Larchmont Hardware, now Hardwear, is finally fully occupied. It’s a welcome restart for the building, and new business for the street, after a long period of vacancies since the building was purchased in 2007 by the late Albert Mizrahi, who removed all the tenants except Sam’s.
“Groundwork is the largest organic coffee roaster in Los Angeles, and throughout its growth has maintained an unwavering commitment to sustainable, relationship-based coffee sourcing; it has also set an industry standard with its solar-powered, low-emissions roasting technology,” according to the company. “Groundwork is committed to developing lasting relationships both locally and at origin through ongoing, meaningful partnerships with community-building charitable organizations, as well as featuring local food artisans and farmers in the food served at all of their cafés.”
