Blue Bottle Coffee recently opened in the historic House of Merkel building at 201 S. B St. in San Mateo, which formerly housed Kingfish Restaurant for 18 years before the restaurant closed in 2018.
On Dec. 2, Blue Bottle Coffee announced on social media, “Welcome to the Blue Bottle family B Street! If you’re in San Mateo, pop by for a pour over and enjoy the landmark Art Deco building and design by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson.”
The 1931 House of Merkel was designed by San Francisco architects Edwards and Schary, according to the City of San Mateo.
“Carl and Cuna Merkel, immigrants from Germany, opened a cigar store on this site in 1918 and expanded the business with the new building to include a soda fountain, confectionary and liquor store,” according to city documents. “The business had something for all ages, including a billiard parlor and horse betting.”
Photo credit: Blue Bottle Coffee
