Founded in 2012 by Colombian-born musician and graphic designer Andres Piñeros, The Boy & The Bear was born from a singular mission: to elevate and exclusively showcase the diversity and quality of Colombian coffee. After a transformative experience with fika culture in Sweden, where drinking coffee is a slow, communal ritual, Piñeros returned to Los Angeles determined to open a high-end, design-forward roastery that honored both the art and science of coffee.
Now boasting locations in Redondo Beach, Culver City, Pasadena, Westchester, and Sherman Oaks - with more coming to Gardena and Terracotta - the brand has built a cult following for its clean, complex brews and farm-to-cup transparency. Each bean is sourced directly from Colombia through personal relationships Piñeros maintains with farmers, many of whom he grew up with in Villavicencio. These collaborations allow for unique processing techniques and lightning-fast turnaround from harvest to roasting - often less than 10 days.
At The Boy & The Bear, every detail is intentional. Stores feature a signature aesthetic of copper finishes, pale wood, and rainforest tones, reflecting Colombia’s biodiversity and evoking a sense of calm ritual. Coffee offerings range from delicate floral varietals like Gesha and Pink Bourbon to bolder blends like the best-selling Vibrant Espresso. Menu favorites include lattes, cortados, and the fan-favorite Stockholm Fog, a mocha-chai hybrid. Select locations also serve pastries and savory snacks, often highlighting Latin American flavors.
The San Diego outpost, dubbed 'The White Oak Store', will open on the ground floor of Hawthorne Place, a newly built mixed-use development in Little Italy. While an official opening date hasn’t been announced, construction plans have been filed with the San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality. The space is expected to reflect the same immersive design and community-centric ethos that has made The Boy & The Bear a standout in Southern California's third wave coffee movement.
The San Diego outpost, dubbed 'The White Oak Store', will open on the ground floor of Hawthorne Place, a newly built mixed-use development in Little Italy. While an official opening date hasn’t been announced, construction plans have been filed with the San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality. The space is expected to reflect the same immersive design and community-centric ethos that has made The Boy & The Bear a standout in Southern California's third wave coffee movement.
For Piñeros, bringing The Boy & The Bear to San Diego is more than just expansion - it’s an invitation to share the coffee rituals and rich agricultural heritage of Colombia with a new audience. As he once told the press: "Regardless of race, culture, beliefs, whatever - we can always be friends and have a cup of coffee and a chat."
The Boy & The Bear is expected to open in early 2026 at 801 W. Hawthorn Street, Suite 110a, in San Diego's Little Italy. For more information, visit theboyandthebear.com.
The Boy & The Bear is expected to open in early 2026 at 801 W. Hawthorn Street, Suite 110a, in San Diego's Little Italy. For more information, visit theboyandthebear.com.
Originally published on July 31, 2025.
