Church buys, operates local coffee shop

FALLBROOK – SonRise Christian Fellowship (Presbyterian church) now owns and operates Fallbrook Coffee Co., located at 622 South Mission Road. Authorities from the church said it will be run as a non-profit business, a “coffee shop for the community.”

Its function will be similar to some church-owned thrift shops in the area that donate a portion of their proceeds to worthwhile community programs and projects. Serving as interim general manager of the shop is Andrew Ice, a member of the church’s governing board.

“We want to be a presence of hospitality in the community,” said Rev. Jerome Marroquin, longtime senior pastor of the church. “We want it to be a warm, inclusive place run by Christians.”

While the shop opened under the new ownership on April 15, a formal grand opening celebration is planned for Sunday, June 29 from 3 to 8 p.m. and will feature performances from two bands.