L.A.’s Groundwork Coffee Co. – a roaster since 1990 and now operator of 11 So Cal outlets – bought 2 Tin Man’s shops on SE Hawthorne and SW 1st last summer.  Now they’ve also acquired the former Kobos roastery on NW  Vaughan.  On a December visit to the Hawthorne shop we really appreciated its spacious, bright, craftsman-like layout, array of organic coffees and teas, and stated commitment to build community.   This being summer we tried out their outdoor picnic benches, but found them not as stimulating as their interior seats, having been spoiled recently by visiting a couple of more comfortable patios.  Nevertheless, Groundwork’s commitment to creating community in L.A. and here, plus the lovely decor of its Hawthorne store, make Groundwork/ Hawthorne well worth a visit.

H, G, and part-time Portland resident C nevertheless had a good deal to catch up on, and enjoyed a stimulating hour-plus discussion outside at a sidewalk table.  When not in Portland, these past 7 months C along with his sister have been the primary caretakers in Denver for his failing mother; he related how she seemingly rejected a couple of earlier invitations to pass, how the spirit of her brother might have made an appearance to her, and then seemingly waited until both of her children were out of the room before passing away.  C and G then shared updates on two of their children, coincidentally both 40 and also both in WA, who’ve each faced recent challenges.   Meanwhile, H told how his oldest daughter is turning 40 this week, and he and wife P are being allowed to carouse with younger family/friends on their ritualistic pub crawl this Sat.

4703 SE Hawthorne                                            https://www.groundworkcoffee.com/