Jump Start Cafe opened its doors at Eleventh and L Streets in the shadow of the state Capitol in June of 2002. The goal was to bring a taste of Coffee Works culture to the downtown mall, and to provide an urbane, low-key gathering place for folks living, working, and visiting in the vicinity of Sacramento's central architectural icon.

By any measure Jump Start succeeded in bringing personality and style to a space that had previously been vacant and dreary. It helped to awaken sidewalk cafe life on the 11th St pedestrian mall. "Meet you at Jump Start", became a popular refrain to folks working under and around the Capitol dome.

The artistic success of the Cafe design was attested by its selection as a prime location for two Hollywood movie productions: one starring Brooke Shields; and a second production released as, 'Her Minor Thing" (click here to see stills from the filming). In this way Jump Start Cafe achieved minor cinematic immortality.

After five years however it was time to review our initial assumptions and objectives against the project's experience. It was apparent that the daily army of hungry tourists and government workers on lunch break might be better served by a quick serve lunch cafe than our version of a laid-back political salon/coffee house. The case for a more aggressive business model was finally forced when the City informed us they were doubling the rent. The time had come to find a new home for Jump Start Cafe back in east Sacramento. In our place La Bou Bakery and Cafe will be opening their newest company owned store. As a successful locally-owned bakery cafe chain with a proven quick serve formula they will serve the community well at this site.

We plan to try to apply some of the lessons we've learned to improving Jump Start Cafe in its new location and to making Coffee Works an even better experience for our east Sacramento friends and neighbors.

We want to thank all the folks who supported our downtown adventure with their patronage, our hardworking and creative employees, and everyone involved with the project. Hope to meet you at our new home.