Urth Caffe not moving in just yet

The business that plans to take over former space of The Cottage may take a year or more to open, co-founder says.

February 12, 2013|By Bryce Alderton

The co-founder of a specialty coffee-and-tea chain said it will be "some time" before the business opens in the former restaurant space of The Cottage.

"We really want to preserve and restore the place to its bungalow splendor," Shallom Berkman of Urth Caffe said in a phone message.

Los Angeles-based Urth is working with a historical consultant to create artist renderings for the North Coast Highway spot north of Main Beach. The renderings would then move on to a Laguna Beach Historical Society committee for approval, Berkman said.

"It could take one year or more [to open]; I don't know right now," Berkman said.

Urth has four existing locations with another restaurant set to open in Pasadena. The Laguna Beach location will be the first time the company has experimented with a full breakfast menu, including French toast and pancakes.

"We know that Orange County has counted on The Cottage for decades for breakfast and we don't want to let people down," Berkman said. Urth will not have waiters and will not serve alcohol.

The Cottage served its last meal on Dec. 26 after nearly 50 years in Laguna Beach. Jennifer McCulley owned the restaurant for 12 years, but was forced to close the business when the property was sold. The structure was a home before the 1950s.

Urth opened its first store in 1994. The company also sells healthy entrees, soups, salads and desserts.

Berkman declined to give the purchase price.

Bryce.alderton@latimes.com

Twitter: @AldertonBryce

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