Two Cool New Hotspots Open in Old Pasadena This Month

Copa Vida and Coolhaus opened hip new stores in the Old Pasadena early this month.

Copa Vida opened in the district last August 1 replacing the former site of jazz lounge Redwhite+Bluezz.

Owners Steve Chang and managers Frank La and Sam Hong built the wide area that includes two rooms and an entire kitchen at the back. It also has the wine storage that may be used for VIP customers. Upon the entrance is the counter which serves wide-array of coffee made from the most advanced and latest espresso machines and tea made from the finest Steampunk brewer, the Eater LA reported.

Another feature of the store is the second room which has a bar-like arrangement and where baristas make high standard coffee similar to Intelligentsia Venice’s slow bar, the magazine said.

Meanwhile, Coolhaus, known for its cookie ice cream sandwiches, opened last August 2 to coincide the National Ice Cream Sandwich Day.

Coolhaus has put up a food court which will house four to five other stores. About 35 parties have already applied for the commercial spaces, Coolhaus CEO Natasha Case told the Patch.

The list of other food stalls is being finalized and contracts between Coolhaus and the other purveyors are most likely to be signed next month, Case told the Los Angeles Weekly.

Coolhaus also launched its rose ice cream in honor of its Pasadena site during its grand opening last August 9. Among Coolhaus’ specialties are custom and pre-made ice cream sandwiches, cookie shakes, scoops of ice cream, slow drip and cold brewed coffee.

“We chose Pasadena because it’s one of the few pedestrian-friendly areas in town. Also, there’s a growing mix of retail from national brands to much more local names, which is hard to find elsewhere,” Case told the Los Angeles Weekly.

Among the other stores housed in the Old Town district are Dog Haus, Intelligentsia, Blind Donkey, Ración and Umami Burger.