Locals mingle over coffee at Be True Cafe's ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 27. Photo courtesy of Victor Terrazas, Modality View.
Locals mingle over coffee at Be True Cafe's ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 27. Photo courtesy of Victor Terrazas, Modality View.
Photo courtesy of Victor Terrazas, Modality View.
Photo courtesy of Victor Terrazas, Modality View.
Barista Gerald Maresh with owners Ruth Gutierrez and Luis Gutierrez. Photo by Carmel de Bertaut.
Barista Gerald Maresh with owners Ruth Gutierrez and Luis Gutierrez. Photo by Carmel de Bertaut.
Barista Gerald Maresh said that the owners have put a lot of work into Be True, and see the cafe as “more than a business.” Photo by Carmel de Bertaut.
Barista Gerald Maresh said that the owners have put a lot of work into Be True, and see the cafe as “more than a business.” Photo by Carmel de Bertaut.

Nestled behind Union Bank in a business park off Tres Pinos Road, Be True Cafe offers a new spot in town for coffee.

Owners Ruth and Luis Gutierrez said they want people to feel welcome.

“We want it to be a place where people come to be themselves, to be true,” Luis said. “We don’t want to make this place about us, we built this spot for the community.” 

The cafe, which opened in August and held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Sept. 27, serves regional coffee, tea, smoothies and cookies. Tea and coffee come from Teco Coffee Roasters in Campbell, with most coffees served being eco-friendly and direct trade. Cookies come from Pacific Cookie Company of Santa Cruz. There are plans to serve sandwiches, as well as pastries from Lighthouse 55 Bakery in Hollister.

Ruth said it’s important for the cafe to be selective about their food and beverages because the products become part of the person.

“Quality and efficiency was the biggest thing for us, efficiency for the body,” she said.

The goal of Be True Cafe is whole body care and health. With this goal in mind, the Gutierrezes expect to open a training studio at the back of the cafe next year. They plan to have exercise machines and to bring in trainers for pilates and yoga. There is also a conference room in the building that should be ready for use soon, Ruth said. It will be open to the community to read, study or hold meetings.

The cafe owners believe in supporting the community and have hired local students to work as baristas.

“I am working with the bosses and that shows how much they care,” employee Gerald Maresh said. He explained that the Gutierrezes have put a lot of work into Be True, and see the cafe as “more than a business.”

Three of the cafe’s baristas have gone on to college, but Ruth referred to all of them as her “kids,” saying she feels very connected to them. Incidentally, Ruth and Luis expect to welcome their newest family member next month. The baby is expected Oct. 26 and they look forward to welcoming her into the Be True community. 

Be True Cafe is located at 330 Tres Pinos Road, Suite E, Hollister. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday.

 

Carmel has a BA in Natural Sciences/Biodiversity Stewardship from San Jose State University and an AA in Communications Studies from West Valley Community College and she reports on science and the environment....