Meet Crystal Weintrub: Co-owner of 1802 Roasters/Avante-Garde Stan

We had the good fortune of connecting with Crystal Weintrub and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Crystal, why did you pursue a creative career?
I am a creative at heart. I’ve always been drawn to creative activities. Initially in my career I wanted to be a designer; I liked art but I also liked science and eventually I realized I didn’t think they should be treated as mutually exclusive of each other, because they’re not, and we limit ourselves but applying this thought process. Plenty of overlap exists between the two concepts and I’ve been able to chose paths that allow me use both and apply both to my work. When it comes to coffee there’s plenty of room to do that, from the scientific alchemy of creating “the perfect cup,” to creating a functional but welcoming space to be in. There are many nuances that go into making that “perfect” cup: sourcing good beans, roasting coffee, and tasting the brew. I’ve likened it to the mastery that a chef or mixologist bestows on the various food and drinks they make – their work. Making a cup of coffee is its own form of both art and science; there are many steps along the way that allow room to produce a much different end result. And creating a space is about more than picking out lighting and paint (but luckily, it’s about that stuff too, because that is fun!) Overall, it’s about creating a feeling or memory, an experience. I get to work with my hands and put together different concepts and ideas, research and develop recipes and create something unique and fun. Coffee has allowed me to be able to thrive in its’ dualistic environment by using the diversity of both fields. It’s funny because, at first, I did not view being into to coffee as a creative endeavor, but as things have progressed there always seems to be an opportunity to be both artistic and scientific, whether its solving a problem or creating something unique, and I find I am only as limited as I allow myself to be. I also understand that I am in a position to steer the boat…meaning that I can make something more or less creative with my choices and I am aware of this.

What should our readers know about your business?
We are coffee roasters; I am one half of a team that is 1802 Roasters. I am particularly excited about our first brick and mortar location, Café 1802, and specifically what the space allows us to do within our community. We tried to make a cozy space we thought was appealing, a space where you would want to hang out and create positive memorable experiences. There was no shortage of ideas: a place where the community could come together to drink, eat, meet, be productive, learn something and organize. For us it wasn’t just about making a community space but about the opportunity this space allows to create a more sustainable business model. There are many potential influences to consider with each decision made. There are costs and benefits that are both direct and indirect, micro and macro, and for each potential stake holders the considerations are many: personal, social, financial and environmental. In order to exercise this type of decision-making process our approach is a one-by-one method; with each decision we make what we feel are positive contributions, and one by one we expect they add up to something substantial. That is why each decision is made with care.

For example, some of the things we consider when we buy products like alternative milks, are they organic or produced sustainably, do they have preservatives, additives or fillers? We consider the overall environmental footprint and end of life impact, of both the product and its packaging. The impacts of the supply chain both environmentally and socially on the communities they touch. To elaborate on that example from the customer side, we offer 6 plant-based milks as non-dairy alternatives for no additional charge. Dairy is the third highest contributor in a coffee shop to its carbon footprint. In order to help reduce our impact we have made alternative milks available with out up-charging our customers so they have many options available to them to encourage positive choices with multiple benefits they can make within their community.

The challenges we face socially in regards to our communities and the environment are complex, but they also present opportunities. The decisions we make today shape how we organize ourselves in the future to solve the complex problems of society. It is todays thinking that will be applied to tomorrows future. We need to be creative with our approach and have many avenues to solve problems; no matter how small the effort, we will do it one by one with each choice we make.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There’s so many great things to do in L.A., it can be difficult to pick so things like traffic and proximity usually play a big role in these decisions, but I would probably start with a trip to IN-N-Out as soon as we cleared the airport. Followed by a chocolate yeast glaze from Randy’s donuts. Why not start off with a little California nostalgia in the way of junk food.

Outdoor activities are big on the itinerary. Throughout the week we would go on stair hikes around town– which provides a great way to see the different neighborhoods – mountain hikes to mini waterfalls and when we need to connect with nature in the city a walk through the canyon behind my house to the Mt. Washington Self-Realization Fellowship for a little meditation and quiet time is a great way to start off the day. One afternoon will include a trip to the Huntington Library and Gardens. It’s an easy way to spend the day strolling through their many gardens and galleries; looking at classic paintings of Blue Boy and staring at your reflection in the wading pools of the Chinese Garden, through the ripples when the ducks swim away. Cap that off with a visit to their gift shop for unique finds, like journals covered in scientific drawings of vegetables and one-of-a-kind artisan jewelry pieces.

Other days will be filled with food related trips to Monterey Park for Dim Sum, shave ice and Boba, a lunchtime visit to Placita Olvera for the Carnitas plate at La Luz Del Dia. And sandwiched in between all the other eating will be some salad, sushi and vegan food – it is LA after all.

Our nights out will vary, one night calls for a fancy dinner at the Factory Kitchen for the best pasta…ever (complete with a glass of Red and you can BYOB too). If it is summer time, a trip to California Plaza in downtown for a free summer concert in the courtyard is a must!! Another night out will include a visit to K-town for all you can eat Korean pancakes and BBQ, while drinking a beer under a red parking lot tent with little white twinkle lights, strung around the edge, that dance to the loud Korean music playing. Save just the tiniest bit of room to follow the evening with French style tea and cake at Café Giverny. Another night when we haven’t eaten our weight in carbs and protein, we’ll hit up my current favorite dive – Permanent Records – a true locals only spot where you can grab a drink and listen to live music while you shop for records, and they have a pretty great collection!

No trip to LA is complete without a visit to the beach, take your pick there are many different cool options depending on what you want to see. I recommend a drive from Zuma Beach down the coast ending in Venice – grab a coffee and visit both the beach and the canals, for a memorable experience. While on that side of town, visit one of the many local farmer’s markets for lunch and a stroll, followed with visit to the Annenberg Space for Photography to view their latest installation. Then round out the day with, you guessed it, dinner! This time it’s the classic roasted chicken plate, from Versailles Cuban Restaurant, which comes smothered in garlic sauce topped with white onions and complete with sides of black beans, rice, plantains and bread to sop it all up.

Finally, if you are lucky enough to be here the second Sunday of the month, we’d round out the trip by checking out the Rose Bowl Flea Market for everything from current and vintage wares, clothes, household items and other collectibles, or to just take some interesting photos. Either way there’s lot to inspire and complete a memorable trip.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My partner and significant other Christian is a amazing! He is a main support system for me and our business. We have overlapping ideas but most importantly complimentary skills, so each one tends to excel in a different area but in a way that compliments the other so we can divide and conquer, which makes everything easier. He also pushes me to do more, work harder and get out of my comfort zone, which helps me to grow and push myself to achieve more.

Family, friends, people I work with and the community are very supportive; everyone contributes something. Nothing is ever done in isolation, efforts have to be collaborative even if decisions need to be decisive so it can be a difficult challenge. But we try to surround ourselves with others who share the similar values and ethics.

Website: www.1802roasters.com

Instagram: @1802roasters

Twitter: @1802roasters

Facebook: @1802roasters

Image Credits
Joel Aguirre