There’s a new line forming on the San Pedro waterfront, and it doesn’t lead to a cruise ship or a fishing charter. It leads to a green apron.
In August, Starbucks became the first sit-down retailer to officially open its doors at West Harbor, the sprawling waterfront destination rising from the old Ports O’ Call Village site. And if opening week was any indication, the coffee giant picked the right spot at the right time. Customers were lined up at the gate before the doors even opened, eager to be among the first to grab a cup with a view of the working port.
It’s a fair question to ask: why Starbucks? Why is a coffee shop, of all things, the one to cross the finish line first at a 42-acre development still very much under construction?
The answer says less about coffee and more about logistics. Starbucks is, in essence, a development machine unlike almost any other retailer in the country. The company has turn-key plans ready to go for practically every scenario that building and safety permits can throw at it. While other West Harbor tenants are still working through permitting, buildout, and staffing, Starbucks was able to plug in and open almost as soon as the space was ready. They pushed the timeline up for West Harbor and the central park because they could. They were ready to open.
But speed alone doesn’t explain the lines. That comes down to a second advantage: the Starbucks app, which, by the company’s own numbers, is installed on roughly 75 million phones nationwide. That’s an enormous, ready-made customer base that didn’t need to discover this new location through a billboard or a news article; it just needed to open the app and see a new store pin (named San Pedro Harbor) appear on the map.
And use it, they have. Visitors have been placing mobile orders ahead of time, taking advantage of an hour of free parking, and then settling in to sip a latte while watching cargo ships glide past on their way in and out of the Port of Los Angeles. The early morning demand has exceeded expectations, and they are already extending their hours to accommodate the fishing boats on their way out to sea.
Between the fishermen, the cruise crowd, dog walkers on the new promenade, and curious locals just checking out West Harbor for the first time, the little coffee shop has become something of a crossroads.
Of course, being first isn’t without its friction. Many longtime San Pedro residents have grumbled that a national chain, rather than a local roaster, got the honor of being West Harbor’s debut business. It’s a familiar tension in waterfront redevelopment projects: the desire for a distinctly local identity running up against the practical reality that big, well-capitalized brands are simply built to move faster than small businesses can.
San Pedro Fish Market, Harbor Breeze Cruises, and a growing list of other tenants are still finding their footing at West Harbor, and locals are watching closely to see whether the development’s character will lean corporate or homegrown as more spaces open in the months ahead.
But here’s the thing: my absolute favorite coffee in San Pedro comes from our local shops. My go-to orders are Bee’s Knees or the Regalatte from Sirens Java & Tea, the Masala Chai from Hojas Tea House, and the Not Your Regular Mocha from Distro Coffee. If you are looking for quality coffee, call them or order online, and they will have your order ready quicker than you can say “hold the foam!”
Now let’s talk about parking, which is sure to ruffle some feathers. The first hour of parking is free, and you can park under solar panels for shade. Thereafter, parking is $2.50 per hour. West Harbor has a lease agreement that places the cost of security and maintenance of its parking lots on West Harbor, not the Port. Can you name a single beach city with more than 20,000 residents anywhere in California that doesn’t have paid parking? I remember free parking at Ports O’Call, but I also remember how poorly the parking lots were maintained. Ultimately, it will come down to supply and demand for front-row parking, and the Port is investing in parking that will trolley folks in for free. West Harbor is also exploring ways to benefit locals with reduced rates, local incentives, and other ideas that will be announced shortly.
San Pedro loves a good controversy, and Starbucks and parking will surely be at the top of the list. It’s hard to deny, San Pedrans are flocking to the waterfront, walking the promenade, and enjoying the central park with a beverage of their choice. More to come. spt
Lee Williams is a local real estate expert, community advocate, and harbor commissioner at the Port of LA. He believes in smart growth and investing in community, culture, art, and history. He can be reached at lee@lamove.com.
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