Better Buzz Coffee Roasters continues to take over San Diego, this time with a new location coming soon to Poway at 12612 Poway Rd.
The company’s newest location is set to move into the former home of Chamoy Tacos + Fruit in the Poway Crossings later this year, according to documentation submitted to the city. The taqueria and fruiteria were forced to close late last year after an overnight fire destroyed the restaurant, and the owners were never able to fully recover. Now, the beloved San Diego-based coffee brand is set to replace it with a drive-thru and its signature line of food and drink offerings.
In April, members of the Hillcrest branch of Better Buzz filed a petition with the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 135, officially taking the first step toward unionizing the Hillcrest location. The employees submitted an open letter to San Diego with a list of demands, which include an increase in wages to a livable standard, providing health and wellness benefits to every Better Buzz employee regardless of whether they are full or part-time employees, and guaranteeing consistent hours and scheduling as well as a comprehensive PTO model. The decision to unionize comes after the company has experienced rapid growth, including expanding in Arizona, while the Hillcrest location struggles due to rising costs and ongoing homeless issues.
“San Diego is a beacon of equality, progress, and acceptance that makes it unlike anywhere else in the world,” according to the open letter. “It is a vibrant and lively place with a diverse and powerful community. San Diego takes care of its people, and we are proud of it. But unfortunately, the people that keep us clothed, fed, and caffeinated are suffering at the hands of their employers. Amidst their rapid growth, it has become clear that Better Buzz Coffee is no exception to this. It seems that their pitch decks and investor meetings left out how their wage workers were to share the spoils of their achievement. Their profits are soaring, but their workers are hurting. We reject that.”
