Trish Rothgeb, the visionary founder of Wrecking Ball Coffee Roasters, is spearheading an ambitious and exciting expansion across the San Francisco Bay Area. Back in 2002, Rothgeb famously coined the term “third-wave coffee,” which fundamentally transformed the global coffee landscape and elevated the beverage to an artisanal craft.
This upcoming growth wave marks a triumphant comeback for the brand after pandemic setbacks forced operations to scale back to a single Cow Hollow shop. If you are planning a trip to the region to check out these new spots, you might want to explore some wonderful places to stay nearby.
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The Road to Expansion and New Locations
Growth Backed by New Leadership
The brand’s grand revival is powerfully supported by new co-owners Simon MacGibbon and Joey Cannata, who joined the team at the close of 2025. Their strategic partnership has allowed the pioneering brand to step back into the culinary spotlight with renewed energy and fresh capital.
The comprehensive expansion plan includes launching a brand new cafe in Potrero Hill this December, closely followed by a third retail location on Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley. Coffee enthusiasts visiting these vibrant neighborhoods can also easily take a short drive to explore various iconic places to go throughout Northern California.
Furthermore, Rothgeb is actively developing a dedicated roasting facility and public tasting bar in Dogpatch, which is slated to debut in early 2027. This specialized facility will serve as the beating heart for the company’s future production and direct-to-consumer sensory experiences.
Unique Service Models and Brewing Excellence
Elevating the Craft with Modern Equipment
Each of the upcoming locations will proudly feature a distinct service model tailored specifically to its neighborhood community. Patrons can look forward to versatile options ranging from relaxed evening beer and wine offerings to convenient grab-and-go setups and immersive educational tasting spaces.
To ensure absolute perfection in every cup, the cafes will be outfitted with top-tier equipment, including state-of-the-art KB90 La Marzocco espresso machines. There will also be a renewed emphasis on crafting precision flat-bottom pour-over coffee for dedicated purists.
Both Rothgeb and her former partner Nick Cho continue to hold deep historical influence within the specialty coffee world through their work on international boards and competition rules. This legacy of excellence guarantees that Wrecking Ball Coffee will remain at the absolute forefront of modern coffee culture for years to come.
Here is the source article for this story: She coined the term ‘third wave coffee.’ Now she’s poised for a big comeback
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