Biking and coffee culture go hand in hand: swing through Toluca Lake on a weekend morning and you'll find cyclists stopping for a caffeine break at Sweetsalt; or head to Pedalers Fork in Calabasas, a bike-themed restaurant where you can have a shot of espresso while fixing your gears.
Joining the ranks on Friday, January 15 in the Downtown Arts District is The Wheelhouse, a beautiful new bicycle and coffee shop where you can fuel up on Olympia Coffee and August Uncommon Tea while shopping around for a new ride (or don't—Wheelhouse is open to those who just want to hang, too). Tyler Wells (Blacktop Espresso Bar, Handsome Coffee Roasters) has designed the coffee program here, so you can expect some fantastic cold brew along with a curated daily brew, espressos, chai tea and more. There will be pastries from Superba Food + Bread, which can be enjoyed in an indoor/outdoor seating area that includes standing counters and communal tables.
If you're actually looking for a new ride—or need to update your old one—The Wheelhouse has bicycles from Heritage Bicycles, Rivendell, Surly and Handsome Cycles, along with bags, baskets, helmets and other accessories. Husband and wife owners Chase and Tami Spenst—who actually met at Handsome Coffee Roasters—crafted the shop as a welcoming place for people to indulge their hobbies. "We want to take two things that are typically very intimidating—bicycles and coffee—and make them approachable and fun," says Chase. "The Wheelhouse is really about people and being able to showcase the work of amazing makers, doers and adventurers."
The Wheelhouse opens on Friday, January 15, at 7am, and is located at 1375 E 6th St #6 in the Arts District.