The closure marks the second downtown shutdown for the Pasadena-based roaster in 2025, following the January closure of its 101 Broadway café. The East Village location, housed inside the Diamond View Tower overlooking Petco Park, was one of the brand’s earliest expansions outside Los Angeles when it debuted in 2014. It quickly established itself as a staple for both specialty coffee lovers and office workers with its “Go. Enjoy. Experience.” mantra, multiple service bars, and artisan food menu.
Copa Vida's East Village shop embodied the ethos of its founder, Steve Chang, who envisioned coffeehouses as gathering places that encourage organic connections. Known for elevating coffee culture in San Diego, the café offered everything from honor-system drip coffee to curated pour-overs and specialty teas, while also hosting meetings, casual meetups, and countless pre-game stops for Padres fans.
Its closure comes as downtown continues to face challenges around office vacancies, shifting demographics, and high rents. For Copa Vida, which has steadily expanded elsewhere in San Diego County and beyond, the decision reflects a pivot away from the city’s core while focusing on other high-traffic neighborhoods. Today, the company still operates locations at UCSD, San Marcos, Torrey Ridge Science Center, and Del Mar, while maintaining its Pasadena roots and Northern California presence.
The East Village café officially closed at the end of August, with the posted note thanking guests for making the shop a place of “connection and community.” Loyal customers are now being directed to Copa Vida’s other outposts, where the brand continues to build on its reputation for quality coffee and hospitality-driven service.
Originally published on September 12, 2025.