Tehachapi News

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Every time I plan a trip to my hometown, there is a list of 'people to see and places to visit' that keeps my visits a whirlwind. I was home for a long weekend in March and Mama HillyBeans was on my list of places to check out. I have read about it often in the Tehachapi News online, and wanted to see what it was all about.

It was my boyfriend's first time to come to my hometown and although it was a whirlwind, we made a point to meet some friends for lunch at Mama HillyBeans on our way back out of town.  I am so glad we did. The food was delicious, as were our coffee drinks.

I want to give a hearty congratulations to all of the people that worked (and still do work) so hard to create that thoughtful and aesthetically pleasing space.  There isn't anything one could want in a local coffee shop that wasn't incorporated into their design. There is room for children and adults alike to find comfort and community.

My boyfriend and I have collectively traveled through many places and both of us agree that it is one of the best coffee shops we have ever been to.

My only regret is that Mama HillyBeans wasn't a Tehachapi resource for the many years that I lived there. I will definitely make a stop in there each time I visit — and hope to catch one of the performances that seem to be in abundance. In an era where major coffee shop chains pride themselves on being exactly alike — anywhere you go — I wholeheartedly support one with individual style and a knowledge of the community base around them.

Kudos to the initiators and on-going-maintainers of that delightful establishment. You definitely created a niche that our beloved mountain community desperately needed.

— Carrie Whittier