Dave’s Coffee Shop

Dave’s Coffee Shop

Circa 1930s

North Oakland, CA

Donated by Theodore Sciacqua

Dave’s Coffee Shop was a beloved diner from North Oakland, California, that closed in 2008. The jolly chef welcomed guests of all ages twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week to enjoy a warm cup of coffee or a grilled cheese. It opened in the 1930s with only three booths and six stools. Dave’s switched up its business model to a limited breakfast/lunch schedule in 1995 which ultimately led to its eventual downfall. Those who remember Dave’s might also remember that it was located on a sharp angle. The building was built along the rail tracks that train cars used to cart rocks from the Rockridge Quarry which led to the restaurant's distinctive shape. Dave’s exemplifies how signage can preserve and share multiple histories of the businesses they belong to, their cities, and the built environment.