San Carlos’ Groovy Goose Coffee a labor of love

However, from the start, “Groovy Goose has been a labor of love and we’ve quickly learned so much about opening a small business,” he said.

They dreamed up this new caffeinated sensation when they found themselves unsatisfied with corporate coffee shops. When a space became available at the close of 2022, they knew it was an opportunity to combine passions and open something of their own. Early on, they encountered some small business hurdles and decided the space needed a complete renovation to fulfill their vision.

In January 2023, they officially began construction, doing a lot of the work themselves and with family support.

“We wanted to create a fun, vibrant place to bring people together,” Siera Conte said, and that is what inspired them to be thoughtful with a creative design.

Some of these design elements included utilizing midcentury-style rounded corners, vibrant color pops, and a front-facing roll-up door that opens to café tables on the San Carlos Avenue sidewalk.

Groovy Goose officially opened its doors in the summer of 2023 and has become a popular pit stop for the community. In addition to the bright aesthetic, it has a lot more steeping inside.

Groovy Goose is committed to serving small-batch, hand-roasted coffee, highlighting the flavor profiles specific to the coffee’s origin.

“Roasting coffee is not just a science, but also a craft that requires a lot of technique on how it is stored, prepared, roasted and heated,” Nathan Conte said.

As the sole roasters, Nathan and Siera take a lot of pride in the coffee they serve and are active every step along the way. From ethically sourcing the unroasted “green” beans to using only craft syrups, the quality of each cup is truly as great as the experience. To highlight the quality, its menu features all of the classics; americano, latte, cappuccino, cortado, espresso, drip coffee and cold brew. For the less caffeinated drinkers, Groovy Goose also offers a variety of non-coffee beverages with its most popular being the iced strawberry cold foam matcha and loose-leaf teas from Monterey.

For a bite, don’t miss the display window with its fresh selection of pastries and bread from local bakeries. One of Nathan’s favorite food items is “The Hustle” sandwich, featuring prosciutto, brie cheese, a layer of fig jam, and arugula, drizzled with honey on a French baguette.

And becoming a regular patron is easy.

“I originally saw people walking around with a goose on their cups and I wanted to see what it was about. Now I’ve been here three times and one of my favorites is the sourdough bread,” Manar, a San Mateo resident, said

Looking forward, both Siera and Nathan want to continue revamping the food selection, add refreshing iced teas and sell a wider variety of wholesale beans. There are even talks of Groovy Goose staying open in the evening as a lounge space for wine and charcuterie.  

“Our dream is to continue to grow and learn what the community wants from Groovy Goose,” Nathan Conte said.

Groovy Goose is open 7 days a week from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will soon be available for online ordering on Doordash. It is at 1221 San Carlos Ave. Go to groovygoose.coffee to learn more.