Philz Coffee is the latest casualty of high rents in downtown Santa Monica. The always packed java dispensary is closing at the end of April, according to a sign posted on its front window yesterday (March 18).
A darling of the northern California coffee scene, Philz opened the location at 525 Santa Monica Boulevard (it’s first in L.A.) back in July 2014. The spot quickly became known for its customizable, espresso-less menu.
Per the company:
After opening a convenience store in the heart of the Mission District in 1978, Phil spent 25 years learning, experimenting, and blending, with the goal of making a really, good cup of coffee. His passion for brewing coffee and building community laid the foundation for the first Philz Coffee shop on January 1, 2003 in the Mission District of San Francisco. What began as a labor of love became a national love affair, with stores across California and Chicago.
Regular customers are understandably heartbroken, but can still mail order beans through the company’s website. Nine other Philz outposts remain in the area with the closest in Culver City and Beverly Hills.
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