Santa Maria Sun / Biz Brief

Spotlight on: Hideout Coffee House

BY JASON BANANIA

There’s a new place in Nipomo for people to relax with a cup of coffee while they read a book, browse the web, or just hide out.

Secret spot: The Hideout logo, designed by local artist Becky Filips, faces Thompson Avenue in Nipomo. PHOTO BY JASON BANANIA

The Hideout Coffee House is owned by Calvary Chapel in Nipomo, and according to Tom Bates—Hideout’s manager and youth pastor for the church—the shop’s main purpose is to give locals a place to unwind while they sip on a fresh cup of coffee.

“This place isn’t being run with a business model in mind. It’s owned by the church and funded with the profits we make,” Bates said. “We’re not trying to get rich, we’re just trying to be available as a place for people to talk, chill, and hang out.”

Calvary Chapel acquired the building in March and spent the next four months retrofitting the entire structure to create a relaxing mood with a home feel, Bates said. With their limited funds, the church took on the task the cheapest way possible: the do-it-yourself method.

“The whole church came together to give the building the makeover it needed. We came up with ways to make the atmosphere comfortable. Some members painted the walls, and the elders did a lot of the wood-work.” Bates said. “It was a cool way for the church to get together. It was kind of like a family opening a business.”

“There was someone to fill every job that needed to be done,” added Jacob Wick, a church member. “For most of the things that needed to be fixed, there was someone who already knew how to do it, and if there was something that no one knew how to fix, there was someone who would learn.”

Among the renovations, the church also made an extension to the building by turning a storage space into a small room they call “The Nook.” The intimate space is equipped with a sofa and chairs, where visitors can separate themselves from the main coffee shop and enjoy a book or conversation with a bit of privacy.

Patrons can also have their cup of java outdoors on a porch that extends the length of the coffee shop. The porch is lit with rows of Christmas lights hung above the entire area. Trees off to the side of the porch provide shade during the day and a sense of seclusion during the night.

Inside is a stage where local musicians can showcase their music. The walls of the performance area are decorated with paintings from local artists.

 “We’re very into supporting everything local, from the art work to the music to the coffee,” Bates said.

Wick, whose band the Honey Trees performed during the coffee house’s grand opening, said the shop also plans to install a PA system, sparing bands the hassle of lugging around heavy sound equipment.

On a Friday night, outside on the porch, Yevette Dorado was enjoying a warm cup of cafe mocha out of a red mug, a signature of the Hideout.

“I enjoy the relaxed atmosphere here the most,” Dorado said. “My kids love to come here, and when they hang out here it’s a Christian environment, which is a plus
for me.”

True to its name, the Hideout Coffee House might be hard to spot for anyone unfamiliar with the area. Find it at

338 W. Tefft St. People who stop for a visit might be surprised by the shop’s cozy atmosphere and homey vibe, along with the vintage furniture members of the church have donated or found in local thrift stores.

For more information, call the shop at 929-1355.

Highlights

• Community Bank of Santa Maria released its six-month earning statement, showing the bank on firm footing with a 66 percent increase in net profits from last year.

Bank president and CEO Jim Glines reported net profits of $323,298 at June 30, 2012, compared to $194,643 at the same time period in 2011. Total assets were up 5.42 percent from June of last year, from $153,680,580 to $162,010,850. Total net loans decreased 6.26 percent from June 30, 2011, while deposits increased 5.63 percent.

For more information on Community Bank of Santa Maria, visit yourcbsm.com.

Intern Jason Banania wrote this week’s Biz Spotlight. Highlights are written and compiled by Staff Writer Jeremy Thomas. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, e-mail, or mail.