You’re the coffee that I need in the morning, You’re my sunshine in the rain when it’s pouring
“Best Part” by Daniel Caesar featuring H.E.R. plays above customers’ heads as they enter Sunmerry Coffee in Brea, welcoming them to a warm and peaceful environment. With a shelf filled with various Asian pastries on one wall and trinkets on the other, this cafe offers many special products, putting a spin on the typical “bubble tea” shop. Walking up to the counter, customers are met with various drinks, ranging from Vietnamese Coffee and Oolong Roasted Milk Tea to Dragon Fruit Tea and Mango Slush. There is coffee, tea, and non-caffeinated beverages for every taste, and the menu constantly changes to match the seasons and holidays. While the store is more or less established now, all businesses have humble beginnings, and Sunmerry is no exception.
Earl, the owner and manager of Sunmerry Coffee, began the opening process in 2020. At the time, Brea did not have many options for specialty coffee, which drove him to create a shop dedicated to providing them. Leasing a space previously occupied by a poke company, Earl had to renovate the interior to build a warm atmosphere that customers would appreciate. Since then, the store has undergone several changes, including its name. Sunmerry Coffee originally began as the independent coffee shop Press, offering globally inspired drinks such as Vietnamese Iced Coffee and Cortada, as well as homemade pastries.
This newly opened shop grabbed the hearts of customers looking to try something different. Since new items were constantly added, people could look forward to something new each visit. The mochi donuts and croissants quickly became popular, with differing flavors such as sesame and matcha.
When COVID-19 hit, Press, like many businesses at the time, adapted to the change. By implementing many new policies, including outdoor and online ordering only, the store maximized safety while continuing to make profits. As everything slowly transformed into the new ‘normal’ around 2021, Earl decided that merging with the popular chain Sunmerry Bakery would be a beneficial course of action.
With this change, the store transformed its menu and name. While carrying on some of Press’s signature drinks, such as the Lavender Latte, the store added several new ones from Sunmerry’s menu. Although they removed Press’s original pastries, customers can now enjoy an expansive selection from classic to unique Asian breads from Sunmerry bakery, as well as cookies, snacks, and cakes. This spring season, Sunmerry Coffee is selling the seasonal Sakura Matcha Latte. Junior Grace Kim (11) provides an honest review of the store, saying, “My favorite drink is either the Dalgona Coffee or Brown Sugar Milk Tea with boba. I love the store; I think it’s adorable, and the prices are good except for the plushies and keychains.”
The menu is ever-changing, with some products being added and others removed. Continuing the search for special flavors, Earl states that “Inspiration can come from anywhere. Sometimes, it’s expanding on or improving what others have already done. Other times, we take interesting flavor combinations and figure out how to incorporate them into a drink or pastry.”
Before the store opens, he and the other workers complete the daily behind-the-scenes tasks. They sort the delivered bread into their labels, package cakes, cook the boba, and more. Afterward, they can open the door and begin the enjoyable process of serving and chatting with customers, making coffee, and occasionally creating latte art.
The store has many exciting plans for the future, and Earl is looking to spin off Sunmerry Coffee from the bakery locations to focus more on new and interesting coffee and matcha drinks. As the Brea location develops its style and tastes, consider visiting to experience the delicious products for yourself.
