Original Peets
BERKELEY HISTORY
Peet’s Coffee & Tea
A revolution began here in 1966 when Alfred H. Peet (1920–2007)
opened his first coffee roastery and store. Arriving in San Francisco
in 1955, “Mr. Peet” was dismayed by the poor quality of coffee in his
adopted country. He had learned about coffee roasting from his father
in Holland and had further refined his tastes working in the tea business
in Indonesia. Seeking a place for his specialty coffee business, Mr. Peet
took the advice of a prophetic friend who suggested this spot, which
in time came to anchor Berkeley’s famed “Gourmet Ghetto.” Over
the years, Mr. Peet gained devotees and counseled new coffee
entrepreneurs, sparking the coffee revolution
that swept the country.
Berkeley Historical Plaque Project
2009
Submitted by Abby Paske.