I’ve read a lot of reviews where the writer describes a place or a thing as being more-than-just: “This is more than just a restaurant,” or, “Their gelato is more than just a frozen Italian treat with a lower butterfat content than American ice cream.” Of course they mean this metaphorically, to make a point about how great their subject is. But Found, Annie Choi’s new coffee shop in Eagle Rock, actually is more than just a coffee shop.
Part coffee shop, part gallery, part platform for other local vendors, Found reflects Choi’s affinity for community, versatility, and quality. Found is an open, clean, semi-industrial space on the east end of Eagle Rock’s Colorado Blvd. With white walls and tile, concrete floors, and minimalist lines, the little details Choi has chosen don’t overpower the shop with kitsch. Little pops of carefully orchestrated color, like peacock blue chairs and a dahlia yellow espresso machine, bring warmth and personality to the otherwise neutral color scheme.
The name means a few different things, though it’s largely a nod to how much of the shop’s make up is vintage or reclaimed. The west wall is decorated with a succinct display of vintage rotary phones; vintage desks and dressers serve as functional furniture, and all of the plates and saucers are unique and hand picked.
In the center of the space sits a long, reclaimed wood communal table. This was an essential element in Choi’s vision of Found. Part of the idea behind the shop was that it would be a place for people to find things- community, new friends, inspiration, other local small businesses, etc. A communal table brings patrons together—and so does Choi’s dog, Frankiepants, the unofficial Found mascot that all her regulars seem to know by name.
A collaborative nature is inherent in Found, and given the shop’s open mind, their status as pop-up shop hosts may have been inevitable. Since opening only a few months ago, they’ve already hosted The Ensaymada Project (Filipino donuts), Letterpress Chocolate (bean-to-bar artisanal chocolates), Wilde Bloem (an Etsy jewelry vendor), and The Science of Excellence (mat pilates), among others. They have several more upcoming pop-ups scheduled, as well as artists-in-residency lined up for the rest of the year.
But what about the coffee, you ask? What about the coffee? Don’t you trust Choi yet? She was the General Manager of Demitasse Santa Monica, and brews beans from local roasters such as Demitasse Coffee Roasters in Downtown LA, Peri Coffee in Altadena, and Holy Schmidt from Orange County.
And as for treats- get there early. Found carries pastries from Crème Caramel, and they often sell out pretty quickly. Bring a friend with you, because you’re going to want to have the caramelized Spam biscuit and the ube brownie alongside your cold brew.
Found is located at 1355 Colorado Blvd, Los Angeles 90041. You can contact them by phone at (323) 206-5154 or via their website at www.foundcoffeela.com. For events and updates, be sure to follow Found on Instagram and Twitter @foundcoffeela.
