Photograph by George Sakkestad
The Bean Scene's Jeremy Rice juggles a cappuccino and a torte at the South Murphy Avenue shop.
By KATHERINE PETERSEN
Lauren Christina and Ron Vogel shared a passion for coffee, which led to the opening of the Bean Scene in April 1994 at 186 S. Murphy Ave. in Sunnyvale.
Both Vogel and Christina worked in the high-tech industry, but wanted a business of their own.
"We loved drinking coffee, and wanted to start a business we'd enjoy," said Vogel, who splits his time between high-tech work and the coffee shop.
Christina, who was studying for her MBA before the Bean Scene opened, wrote a business plan for one of her classes, and the two began doing research on the shop.
"Then, four years later, we opened up shop. We wanted to be able to make our own decisions, be creative and listen to employees and customers," Vogel said. Ideas from employees can get bottlenecked in large corporations, he said.
Vogel and Christina chose S. Murphy Avenue for the Bean Scene because the street was growing rapidly, Vogel said.
"The street has really picked up. We're fortunate because the people in Sunnyvale are great to work with," he added.
Vogel and Christina didn't want to sell just coffee. In addition to offering its customers espresso drinks, Indian spiced tea (chai) and four different coffees per day (including Sunnyvale Select blend), the Bean Scene serves bagels, croissants, scones and other pastries for customers to savor as they sip.
"Coffee and pastries is a natural combination," Vogel said, adding that his favorite drink is a mocha chai, which has the sweetness of chocolate with the zip of spiced tea.
Breakfast items soon evolved to a lunch menu, and the Bean Scene now has chicken-and-pesto, eggplant and red pepper calzones and other pastries for lunch.
"We wanted to have quality products. We feel customer service is a necessity, and we have a staff that does a phenomenal job," Vogel said.
The Bean Scene offers an open, inviting atmosphere decorated in a casual, contemporary style. The terra-cotta walls and forest green and oak tables bring warmth to the open room.
The coffee shop features live music on Friday and Saturday nights and sometimes on Monday and Wednesday nights.
The Bean Scene (738-4523) is open Mon. through Thu. from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Fri. from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sat. from 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sun. from 7:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, November 13, 1996.
©1996 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.