On Tuesday, Angie Evans, right, and Kat McIver, will open their Wide Eyes Open Palms Cafe on Cherry Avenue near Retro Row. The Long Beach lesbian couple opened a pop-up coffee shop at the Bixby Park Farmer’s Market three years ago. Photo: Wide Eyes Open Palms.
LONG BEACH — Angie Evans and Kat McIver’s have built their dream one cup of coffee at a time.
The Long Beach lesbian couple opened Wide Eyes Open Palms, a pop-up coffee shop, at the Bixby Park Farmers Market three years ago with their sights set on having a brick-and-mortar cafe that not only dishes gourmet coffee and treats made from sustainable ingredients, local and regional, but also helps create a sense of community.
CAFE OPEN
On Tuesday, their dream will be served when the Wide Eyes Open Palms Cafe opens on Cherry Avenue just south of Retro Row.
“This is the most exciting thing for Kat and I. This is our career,” said Evans, 34, who moved from the Bay Area about 17 years ago to attend Cal State Long Beach, has more than 13 years of experience as a barista.
McIver, 34, who attended Chapman University in Orange, has spent more than 13 years as a chef in kitchens and restaurants.
“Opening this cafe is what we have been working every single day for three years for,” Evans said. “We look forward to creating a very special space with quality food and beverage for our community.”
Wide Eyes Open Palms has taken a hiatus from the Bixby Park and Alamitos Bay farmers markets as they focus on their cafe, Evans said.
ON THE MENU
Evans and McIver, who describe themselves as “feminists and food activists,” call themselves a “multi-roaster shop,” meaning they buy the roasted beans from someone else.
They use three suppliers: Kuma, Four Barrel and Ritual.
What else is on the menu?
- Herbal teas such as the dream catcher, which includes hibiscus, lavender and agave
- Signature drinks like rosemary or molasses agave lattes
- Seasonal fritatta
- Vegan jam and almond butter on toast
