Nautical Bean to open new SLO County coffee shop at ‘funky, cool spot.’ Here’s when
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Nautical Bean will open its first Morro Bay location in mid-July 2025.
- The Main Street site replaces Morro Bay Butcher & Deli, closed since April 2025.
- Owner Brett Jones aims to blend local culture with Nautical Bean's established style.
Popular coffee shop chain Nautical Bean is launching a new location in San Luis Obispo County.
The local, family-run company is set to open a shop in Morro Bay in mid-July, Nautical Bean owner Brett Jones told The Tribune.
Nautical Bean will open its doors at 911 Main St., taking over the former location of Morro Bay Butcher & Deli, which closed in April after five years in business.
The new coffeehouse will be the coffee shop chain’s fifth location in the county — and its first in Morro Bay. Nautical Bean currently has three sites in San Luis Obispo and one in Baywood.
“I love Morro Bay. I’ve always loved that town. I mean it’s always been one of my happy places,” Jones said, calling it a “little hub of cool.”
Jones said the success of Nautical Bean’s Baywood location, which opened in 2022, propelled him to grow his business at another coastal location in the county.
“We were received so greatly in that town, and just the onslaught of positivity of what we brought to that area, you know, I think we can duplicate that in Morro Bay,” he said. “We have a great following there.”
Nautical Bean to open new location in Morro Bay
Jones was searching for a storefront in Morro Bay for more than two years before he found his dream Main Street spot.
He tried to acquire Top Dog Coffee Bar’s old space after the beloved coffee shop shut down in September, but he couldn’t secure a lease for the location.
The right space finally came along when the butcher shop went out of business, Jones said.
Jones told The Tribune that he had always admired the 76-year-old building’s art deco look, calling it a “funky, cool spot.” Better yet, the place was practically move-in ready with electrical and plumbing fixtures in perfect condition.
Jones moved quickly to rent out the space.
“(I) was able to jump on this beautiful building and I couldn’t be more excited,” Jones wrote in a May 19 Facebook post. “I love this community and can’t wait to bring our formula here.”
Local coffee shop chain plans expansion in SLO County
Over the years, Nautical Bean has made a name for itself in SLO County as an eclectic, family-run business with coffee drinks and breakfast foods.
Jones has owned the 25-year-old local coffee chain for more than two decades.
In that time, the business has become an integral part of his family’s life.
All four of his daughters work at the cafes, and his wife and parents chip in as well, he said.
“A couple successes later and a couple failures later, we’re still kicking,” Jones said.
As the business plans its next iteration, Jones is focused on inserting his personality into the space. Jones is already envisioning where his arsenal of skateboards and pop culture-driven decor will line the walls.
“You need to have a theme and an identity because you can get great coffee anywhere in town,” he said. “The people come for an experience, the customer service side of things. That’s what I think builds a great cafe.”
Jones also plans on incorporating artifacts that emphasize Morro Bay’s history and culture so that locals feel at home in the new Nautical Bean.
“I wouldn’t want to be one of the businesses that just wants to survive off of a tourism,” Jones said. “Tourism is great, but you’ve got to be focused on the community.”
What will be on the menu at Morro Bay coffee shop?
The new Nautical Bean in Morro Bay will be comparable to existing locations in Baywood and San Luis Obispo, Jones said, serving a similar menu featuring coffee and espresso drinks.
The shop will also sell a wide variety of breakfast and lunch items, including pastries, bagels, burritos, salads, sandwiches and wraps.
When will new Nautical Bean location open?
The chain’s new location will be open sometime in the summer, Jones said, aiming for a mid-July opening date.
“You gotta capitalize on the summer,” he said. “But I also know the importance of opening up and being polished.”
Jones said he’s already hiring for several open positions.
He plans to employ a staff of about 10 to 12 people, with some current employees expected to shift over to the Morro Bay location “to hit the ground running,” he added.
The coffee shop will likely be open from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, he said.
This story was originally published June 11, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Nautical Bean to open new SLO County coffee shop at ‘funky, cool spot.’ Here’s when."
