Meet the Owner is a column that features business owners in the town of Los Gatos. Los Gatos Patch asks each owner the same 10 questions so the community can get to know the people behind our local businesses.
Michael and Dorte McBride opened at 453 No. Santa Cruz Ave. in 1998. The business started out as a catering company 10 years before opening the Los Gatos cafe. It serves crepes, sandwiches, salads, quiches, omeletes, breakfast sandwiches and lunch seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. While the Los Gatos location is the McBrides’ first, primary business, they also own a Sweet Peas Cafe at 2121 41st Ave., in Capitola.
Los Gatos Patch: What did you dream of being as a kid?
Michael McBride: I was either going to be a doctor or a chef. I loved working with knives.
Patch: How does your personality play into your business?
McBride: I have a very laid-back, relaxed personality and the style of our business is that way.
Patch: At what moment did you decide to open a business?
McBride: When the company that I worked for went bankrupt. Right then and there, that was the turning point.
Patch: What inspired you?
McBride: My grandmother and some of my early memories of experiencing great food in New York inspired me.
Patch: Describe the biggest challenge of owning a business in the Town of Los Gatos?
McBride: Navigating the bureaucratic process with all the agencies we deal with on every level. There are a lot of difficulties to owning a business and I certainly wouldn’t want to alienate anybody. Los Gatos is a great place to do business. It’s really a great environment.
Patch: Describe the best thing about owning a business in the town of Los Gatos?
McBride: Getting to know all the people in Los Gatos. Over the last few years, we’ve gotten to know so many wonderful town residents. It’s the most enriching part. We’ve been in the Los Gatos location almost 15 years and I love to see our regular customers returning.
Patch: What is one thing you would never change about your business?
McBride: Our quality. The basic concept of what we do is that we start with the freshest ingredients we can get and try to provide excellence in food and in our prices, too.
Patch: What is your business’ greatest asset?
McBride: Our staff and our loyal customers. That’s the whole business right there.
Patch: What is your favorite spot in town?
McBride: The has a special place where a bridge crosses it, where I used to walk by dog and played fetch with it. My favorite business in town is
Patch: What’s one thing the community should know about you?
McBride: I have two dogs and three daughters.
