Rare opportunity to acquire a turnkey coastal café in the heart of Carlsbad Village, just one block from the ocean. This ~1,700 sq. ft. location has been operating successfully for the past seven years, becoming a beloved part of the community while benefiting from year-round local and tourist foot traffic.
This is an asset sale only. All furnishings, fixtures, equipment, décor, build-out, and licenses are included. The business name and brand are not part of the sale, leaving the new operator free to bring their own concept to this highly desirable location.
Facilities & Build-Out
The café is fully built out and approved by both the City of Carlsbad and the San Diego County Health Department. Build-out includes multiple sinks, drains, and an ADA-compliant restroom. The space is designed with a warm, European-inspired atmosphere and offers both indoor seating and outdoor patio seating — perfect for the coastal lifestyle. Securing permits and approvals like these can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and take a year or more. This opportunity allows a new owner to step in without that cost or delay.
Included Assets
Sale includes all major equipment and furnishings, such as:
Commercial espresso machine & grinders
Refrigeration & freezers
Ovens, mixers, prep tables, shelving, and smallwares
Pastry and dessert display cases
Dining furniture (tables, chairs, benches)
Plates, glassware, utensils, barware, and décor
All assets are in good working order, allowing for immediate operation.
Beer & Wine License
A Type 41 Beer & Wine License is included and transferable. This dramatically expands the revenue potential by enabling happy hour service, wine bar evenings, and live music events — ideal for capitalizing on Carlsbad’s active nightlife and tourist scene.
Landlord & Lease
The landlord is easygoing and supportive, with a willingness to sign a new lease for qualified tenants with good credit. This makes the transition smoother and ensures stability for the next operator.
Important Note
The café does not have a commercial hood/vent system and is not suitable for heavy cooking with fryers or grills. It is, however, perfectly suited for a café, bakery, crêperie, dessert shop, coffee house, or wine bar concept.
Growth & Expansion Potential
While the café has already built a strong community reputation and operates successfully as a daytime café, the largest opportunity lies in expanding into evening hours. The combination of a prime location one block from the ocean, an inviting indoor/outdoor setting, and a transferable beer & wine license creates the perfect foundation for growth into:
Happy hour service
Evening wine bar
Live music or small events
Dessert and coffee nights
Tourist-friendly late-night offerings
With Carlsbad Village’s thriving restaurant and nightlife scene, this location has outstanding potential for increased revenue in the evenings, while maintaining its solid daytime customer base.
Summary
This is an exceptional chance to take over a fully built-out, health-approved café space in one of Southern California’s most desirable coastal communities. With all the major assets, approvals, and a beer & wine license included, the hard work has already been done. A new operator can walk in and immediately launch their own café, bakery, or wine bar concept with minimal start-up cost compared to building from scratch.
Asking Price: $165,000 (negotiable)
Square Footage: ~1,700 sq. ft.
Type of Sale: Asset Sale Only (business name not included)
Reason for Sale: Owner pursuing other business interests