Owner of Calabasas Coffee House, Ian Metrose, greets a customer as they enter the coffee shop Sept. 24. Metrose said his goal in opening the shop has always been to build a community. Photos by Amanda Monahan
After moving to town a few years ago, Calabasas local Ian Metrose said he felt something was missing — community.
This desire to build community led to the opening of Calabasas Coffee House (CCH) in February.
“Hospitality was definitely in my DNA and we really felt there was a need in this area for what we’re bringing,” Metrose said.
“Later in Life”
Metrose worked in the entertainment industry for 30 years, but said he and his wife always had a dream in the back of their minds for “later in life.”
While taking a walk through the neighborhood one day, Metrose and his wife saw a space available near The Commons at Calabasas. Suddenly, “later in life” felt nearby.
“My wife and I have always kind of dreamed about having a coffee place later in life, after our careers,” Metrose said. “And later in life is now.”
Metrose and a CCH barista prepare drinks for customers in the shop Sept. 24. CCH’s most popular drink is their Japanese Brown Sugar Oatmilk Latte.
Upon moving to Calabasas, Metrose said he realized it was a much smaller town than most make it out to be. Because of this, it only felt right to open a coffee shop with a focus on community.
Through his time working in the entertainment industry, Metrose said he felt prepared for the transition into the hospitality industry.
“Community was built in our DNA,” Metrose said. “The one thing we wanted was to create a community. I mean, if you sat here for a day or two, you would start recognizing people.”
Building Community
Metrose said the past seven months have been a wonderful blend of learning, discovering and community-building.
One way Metrose and Calabasas Coffee House have built community is through CCH Run Club, a weekly running club that takes place every Sunday morning at 9 a.m. Metrose said seeing the reactions from the community has touched him in a positive way.
“We’ve had a lot of people come up and tell us, ‘Thank you so much, this really sort of saved my life,'” Metrose said. “I’ve noticed there’s a lot of heart in the world.”
Calabasas local Niki Lytton comes to Calabasas Coffee House three times per week to work remotely. She said the vibe at CCH is unmatched compared to other coffee shops in the area.
“I love the big windows, the white furniture — it feels very bright and open,” Lytton said.
Lytton sometimes brings her golden retriever to the shop with her, which is when she has noticed the biggest sense of community. Whether interacting with people she’s seen in the shop before or seeing customers who know her dog by name, Lytton said she appreciates the community CCH has built.
Besides the CCH Run Club, Metrose said the coffee shop also holds occasional puppy adoptions and has a rewards program for regulars. However, the community-building goes further.
In the center of the indoor seating area, customers are invited to sit at a large wooden table with eight seats. Metrose said the purchasing and placement of this table was intentional.
“We made one big table in the middle so that people can sit and talk to each other,” Metrose said. “We have conversations happen here all day from people that never met each other, and that’s been the greatest thing about this community.”
Both Metrose and Lytton said their favorite drink on the menu is the Japanese Brown Sugar Oatmilk Latte, which the shop has on tap due to its popularity.
Whether it’s for a Strawberry Matcha Latte or a conversation, Metrose said he welcomes all members of the community to find a new sense of community at CCH.
_________________________________
Follow the Graphic on X: @PeppGraphic
Contact Amanda Monahan via email: amanda.monahan@pepperdine.edu
