Our Origins: How Grange Garden Coffee was Born

ByMelissa Biggs ClarkFebruary 25, 2023

Before Grange Garden Coffee came to life, my husband Roger and I always knew there would be a “phase two.” In fact, we originally envisioned a beer garden.

Everything changed during our Sips with Santa event in the winter of 2021.

That day, more than 175 children lined up to meet Santa Claus. Families gathered around a cozy hot chocolate bar we had created to welcome him, and the space came alive in a way we hadn’t experienced before. It was warm, joyful, and deeply rooted in community.

We felt it immediately—this was something special.

Out of gratitude for the overwhelming support, we chose to move in a different direction.

“Because of our success with our fall and winter events—and seeing how many families showed up—we realized coffee was a more wholesome way to grow Grange Garden while keeping that strong family presence.” — Melissa

We began testing the idea of a coffee concept on Cedros and broke ground on our build-out in January 2022. By June, our first mobile coffee cart was ready. After securing our health permit and working with a coffee consultant, we started simply—with a Keurig and a milk frother—thoughtfully developing our garden-inspired signature drinks.

One of our favorites, The Forager, is an earthy matcha latte layered with soft notes of vanilla and lavender.

Soon after, we invested in a beautiful Italian La Spaziale espresso machine, marking a turning point in both quality and capability.

Grange Garden Coffee officially opened in September 2022.

What began as a single coffee cart has since evolved into something much more.

As our community grew and daily demand increased, we evolved once more. Today, Grange Garden features three thoughtfully designed spaces. What began as a single garden coffee experience has expanded into an outdoor courtyard, a historic cottage café, and a gourmet market offering seasonal provisions and curated goods. Each space has its own character, but together they create a place where guests can slow down, wander, and discover something unexpected.

To better serve our growing community, we upgraded our equipment—replacing our original machine with two custom, high-performance La Marzocco espresso machines. This allows us to operate from two side-by-side locations, improving efficiency while maintaining the quality and care behind every drink.

Our bunnies—who were once simply part of my daily life—have also become a gentle and joyful part of the experience, bringing a sense of warmth and connection that guests of all ages are drawn to.

The Solana Beach community has embraced what Grange Garden has become—a place to gather, celebrate, and spend time together, whether for a morning coffee, an afternoon visit, or an evening event.

Looking ahead, we continue to thoughtfully expand, with plans to grow our Garden Bar and introduce new experiences that build on what we’ve created here.

We invite you to stop by, enjoy a sample, sip something warm, and spend a little time in the garden.

Just be warned—you may not want to leave.