Coming along handsomely… by the looks of these pics, Handsome Coffee has come a long way with their new headquarters in Downtown LA. There are some finishing touches in place already, but, also some majors that are waiting to happen. All in all, things are looking really good for an opening (hopefully) in the next several weeks. If not a hard opening, I know some parties are in the works. I know that we talk about Handsome alot, but, you know, when you get to know these guys and their coffee, you’ll understand.

Here is a pic of the front of the cafe currently. Down at the bottom of the post, is a “before” pic from November of last year.

While all of this is happening, Jesse and Lisa are holding down the fort serving up their blend of espresso in the back of the cafe. Jesse is a master. Lisa here is learning the craft. A former lawyer turned barista, she is chasing her dream of a creative life in the coffee biz. We love dream chasers, Lisa rocks.

Matt is the GC… going through the very complex blueprints for the Handsome operation.

I wish I knew all of the details of this roaster… but, what I do know is that it’s a 1956 Probat UG22 roaster that they tracked down (after a long search) in Belgium, restored, and imported over here. Like Handsome Coffee, it has the reputation to be the best, of course.

Details like this smoking pipe are laser etched in the surface of the walls of the cafe… one of many identity icons for the Handsome brand.

Here is the “before” pic of the Handsome storefront a few months back. They’ve come a long way.

Yes, I’m springing for coffee! Lets just say, I always enjoy my morning cup. Could be from Handsome Coffee if I’m at the studio, or Stories Books and Cafe if I’m walking Nori around the hood, or possibly Spring For Coffee if it’s a quick morning meet up with a friend. Spring For Coffee in Downtown is a great little spot, they serve Intelligentsia and Stumptown, the cafe has just enough room to order and then sit outside on the curbside tables. A tiny little place, but, perfect for the locals… and dogs!

The wide, bright, green Spring Street bike lane is always a plus too.

Our friends at OMFGCO do another awesome install at The Gap. You saw the first one they did at Glendale Galleria, right? This one at the heavily trafficed, The Grove outdoor mall in LA. As always, all their little details make the difference. Mathew and Fritz stopped by the Poketo studio on one of their visits for a quick pose up on our rooftop.

This is a huge wall that connects the bottom floor to the top. Blueprints of jeans and brass jean buttons carefully placed.

A huge California flag made of jean patches hangs over the entryway.

Free Lets Do More field books and pencils… a nice reminder, thanks guys!

Love this collaboration. Geoff’s drawings are on Heath’s signature tabletop. Many of the pieces are one of a kind paintings on ceramic, some of the silhouettes totally new to Heath’s 60 year existence. Here are some of my favorite pieces from the show, I couldn’t stop taking pictures, everything was so amazing. I’m not the only one to think so, judging by all of the red dots on everything.

The exhibition is at the Heath LA store until the end of the year. You can read an exclusive interview with Geoff McFetridge from our friends, Bobby Solomon and Kyle Fitzpatrick, of LAImYours.com. For the Angelenos, Geoff McFetridge along with potter/director of Heath LA, Adam Silverman, will be doing a studio talk on December 3rd. Mark your calendar.

Even more images from the show at our Flickr.