Restaurateur and community activist Sarah Mattinson is observing another milestone in Mission Beach this year: the 17th anniversary of her stewardship of Olive Cafe.
Mattinson recalled starting out after having taken over Olive Cafe at 805 Santa Clara Place in 2005. “I took over from the previous owner and ran it for the first five years,” she said. “I didn’t take a day off, working every day except Christmas and Thanksgiving, with one full- and one part-time employee.”
On her most recent anniversary, Mattinson, who typically works 60-hour weeks, noted: “After 17 years, we’re just happy to be through COVID having survived. So we’re really celebrating ‘every’ anniversary after that.”
Mattinson noted times were really tough for an independent small-business owner like herself during the height of the pandemic. “In March 2020, our sales were down 75%,” she said adding, “We learned how to adapt to it just rolling with what was happening, observing the new (health) guidelines. We converted to more of a grocery store selling everything from toilet paper to avocados and tomatoes.”
Of how she changed Olive Cafe’s initial business model, Mattinson said, “It was a restaurant with more emphasis on coffee and pastries. We expanded on that to make it a breakfast and lunch place putting in a commercial hood and getting some other professional equipment.”
Six years ago, Mattinson became a dual business owner, adding Olive Baking Company across Mission Boulevard to her restaurant mix.
“After opening my own café, and wanting to expand into being able to bake our own bread, I opened up my bakery in the heart of Mission Beach,” said Mattinson on olivebakingcompany.com. “We’ve built a family bakery that provides freshly baked bread, organic coffee, and good conversation to our local patrons and businesses. We are beyond excited to continue growing and being a staple in the Mission Beach family. Thank you so much for sharing in our dream and commitment of building a community bakery.”
Mattinson added her bakery serves several clients in Mission Beach adding business at both her establishments has largely returned to pre-pandemic levels.
Now with about 25 employees divided between two businesses, Mattinson is optimistic about the future and looking forward to another busy summer. “People are traveling more and coming to San Diego, especially to the beach,” she noted.
Mattison said Olive Cafe did “free coffee and cookies” for the restaurant’s 17th anniversary on May 12.
Added Mattinson of where she works, “I love Mission Beach.”
Asked what appeals to her about the beach community, Mattinson replied: “It’s the small-town feeling you have here with your locals and seasonal visitors who come back every summer and drop by to see you while they’re here on vacation.”
Looking ahead, Mattinson discussed a new development that might be in the offing.
“We’re looking to do more grab-and-go ordering with coffee and sandwiches for people on their way to the beach,” she said. “During the pandemic, online ordering really helped. And it’s convenient.”
