Steeping in three decades of success

Petaluma Coffee and Tea Company has provided a warm atmosphere for coffee and tea drinkers since 1989, first at its original H Street location and now in the cozy, red brick building on Second Street.

Founder and owner Sheila Bride will accept the Small Business of the Year award tonight at the 2015 Community Awards of Excellence, a co-sponsored event of the Petaluma Chamber of Commerce and the Petaluma Argus Courier.

“It took my breath away because I was not expecting it,” Bride said. “I was totally stunned, but I feel really honored. It’s about the people who work for us, the company, and not me, so it is easier to take.”

Petaluma Coffee and Tea Company employs 12 workers devoted to customer service, which Bride said makes the business a success. Roasting their own coffee, providing a top quality product and offering a place to sit and chat among friends has always been their approach to business.

“I think it is a very unique experience,” said Nicholas Harris, assistant general manager. “I’ve been working with coffee close to nine years now, three years at Peet’s before this, and there is something really special about this coffee shop. It’s more than just our quality products after 25 years, it’s also the community.”

Petaluma Coffee and Tea Company can also boast about their award-winning staff. Jenny Long, a barista employed almost two years, will also be honored as Service Person of the Year.

“I love working here. I love working with Sheila. The customers here are awesome,” said Long. “They treat you like you are family here. I value that more than say working for some big corporation. They actually care about you and celebrate your birthday. They take the time to have meetings and try to figure out what’s going on with you, what’s going on with the shop. Everyone actually cares.”

The environment surrounding Petaluma Coffee and Tea is a reflection of Bride, whose interest in the community is apparent through the multiple organizations that she helps. Bride works with Petaluma People’s Services Center, Petaluma Bounty, Rotary Club of Petaluma Valley, Meal On Wheels and Tomorrow’s Leaders Today.

“She is one of the most generous people I have ever met,” said Harris. “Not only does she care about the immediate community, but the world as a whole. Working with her and knowing her outside of work, this is more than just a business to her.”

Bride’s latest endeavor is the Friendship Garden, a personal garden in her own backyard. Approaching its third year, the Friendship Garden grows vegetables, which are sold back to members of the Rotary Club of Petaluma Valley. The funds are then donated to good causes. Last year, the Friendship Garden donated all funds and remaining vegetables to Lucchesi Senior Center.

Bride began what was Petaluma Coffee Company with her husband almost on a whim in 1989 after a 20-year career with United Airlines. Inspired by her grandmother’s grocery store as a child in Hawaii, Bride said that she always wanted to work in retail and food service.

In 10 years, Petaluma Coffee Company expanded to nearly 25 employees and expanded its services to pastries, salads, soups and full lunches. The venture became “too much,” and Bride sought a change.

The company shifted its focus back to coffee and, unexpectedly, tea. In 1999, Petaluma Coffee and Tea Company was established when it absorbed San Rafael-based Windward Tea. Their primary source of tea for years, the owners wished to retire and approached Bride about taking over.

In late 2000, the shift of focus was emblematic when the company opened their Second Street building in the Theatre District.

Since then, the business model has returned to the basics. Petaluma Coffee and Tea Company has found a niche among the corporate landscape of Starbucks and Peet’s.

The 2015 Community Awards of Excellence are tonight at the Sheraton Sonoma County Hotel. Other categories include Citizen of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Excellence in Agriculture, Large Business, Small Business and Service Person of the Year.

(Contact Joshua Gutierrez at argus@arguscourier.com.)