The new cafe will be located at 2710 Third Avenue inside Kaya, a mixed-use building designed by longtime collaborator and renowned architect Jeff Svitak. The expansion continues Communal’s strategy of thoughtful, partnership-driven growth.
Founded by Jen Byard in 2015, Communal Coffee has become more than a café - it's a symbol of San Diego’s homegrown creative spirit. The brand is known for seamlessly combining craft coffee with curated retail, fresh florals, and design-forward spaces that foster community connection. Each location reflects Byard's ethos of intentional growth and neighborhood integration, and the new Bankers Hill outpost is no different.
The upcoming location will feature a vintage Brazilian interior motif with 60 to 70 seats indoors and a 20-seat patio that opens directly onto Olive Street Park, offering locals a serene spot to sip lattes and gather. Patrons can expect favorites like the Lavender Honey Latte and Sweet Mint Cold Brew, seasonal toasts and pastries, and a retail selection of candles, housewares, floral bouquets, and more. A future expansion of the menu will include beer, wine, and extended hours.
The Bankers Hill cafe marks the first formal collaboration between Byard and Svitak, though the two have shared ideas for nearly a decade. Svitak previously designed The Louisiana building next to Communal’s flagship North Park location. Their shared design sensibilities and community-centered values align perfectly for this latest project, which continues Communal’s legacy of transforming underutilized urban corners into vibrant neighborhood hubs.
This fifth chapter builds on a legacy that began with a vision: from the flower-filled North Park café and its original partnership with Native Poppy, to the South Park location with its restored vintage trailer, sparkling lavender lemonade, and community stage - Communal Coffee has always stood for more than a good cup of coffee. It’s about reclaiming space, fostering connection, and making every neighborhood feel a little more like home.
Communal Coffee is anticipated to open July 15 at 2710 Third Avenue in San Diego's Bankers Hill community. For more information, visit shopcommunal.com.
This fifth chapter builds on a legacy that began with a vision: from the flower-filled North Park café and its original partnership with Native Poppy, to the South Park location with its restored vintage trailer, sparkling lavender lemonade, and community stage - Communal Coffee has always stood for more than a good cup of coffee. It’s about reclaiming space, fostering connection, and making every neighborhood feel a little more like home.
Communal Coffee is anticipated to open July 15 at 2710 Third Avenue in San Diego's Bankers Hill community. For more information, visit shopcommunal.com.
Originally published on June 5, 2025.
