The Tustin Coffee Club originated around 1940 at the old Tustin Drug Store, located in the Knights of Pythias Building at the corner of Main Street and El Camino Real. Each midmorning, a bell was rung, signaling local ranchers and businessmen to gather at the counter to share news and conversation. This daily tradition continued for many years until the drugstore counter eventually closed. The Coffee Club tradition was later revived and preserved by a local buisness center owner and restaurateur Phil Cox, whose father had been one of the original members.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, while Phil was living in Oregon, he asked me to revive the Tustin Coffee Club. After two meetings those plans were put on hold when California issued its statewide stay-at-home order in March 2020.

Although California officially ended its COVID-19 state of emergency in May 2023, I chose to wait before resuming gatherings until there was ample time and evidence that it was safe to do so.

Now, three years later, the outlook is positive. The time has come to revive and continue the tradition of the Tustin Coffee Club, carrying forward a community gathering that began in 1940. (Our history)

Pete Beatty, President
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