Oakland, Calif. specialty-coffee roaster Highwire Coffee Roasters has purchased Local 123, a Berkeley, Calif. cafe with a loyal following, a reputation for excellence, and a great staff.
Frieda Hoffman, co-founder of Local 123, tells us that she approached Highwire owners Robert Myers, Rich Avella, and Eric Hashimoto early in 2015 about her wish to see Local 123 grow and expand into what she believes it can become. She “was looking for experienced, down-to-earth folks who would enthusiastically pursue the level of coffee quality that has been focal to the business from the outset.”
Highwire happened to have been scouting second locations, so the timing was perfect. Highwire officially takes ownership on March 1, and will be introducing its line of coffees and teas to both locations that week. Highwire looks forward to connecting with café and Flowerland customers and the greater West Berkeley and Solano Ave neighbors.
“Local 123 has always been a great events space for weddings, pop-up dinners, film shoots, etc. Highwire is excited to explore the potential of hosting more such events in the space. Likewise, Highwire plans to develop an evening business that takes advantage of the opportunities that the existing beer/wine license and their collaborations with local breweries afford,” reads the official statement.
Drawing on Local 123’s kitchen and baking expertise, Highwire sees an opportunity to introduce its own line of baked goods that stand up alongside the wonderful coffees and teas they already offer.
