CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA, Calif., — Located in the heart of Carmel just off iconic Ocean Avenue, Café Carmel keeps alive many traditions in this seaside village — including its affinity for dogs.
In July of 2019, Sarah Cook seized what she calls “the opportunity of a lifetime,” moving from England to Carmel to fulfill her dream of taking over Café Carmel.
Cook is now a local, living on the Peninsula with her family, including a dog named Otto. And her love of dogs has extended to a new partnership with Peace of Mind Dog Rescue (POMDR), a nonprofit in Pacific Grove that finds loving homes for dogs whose guardians can no longer care for them, and for senior dogs in shelters. POMDR also provides financial and volunteer support to senior citizens to keep their dogs with them as long as possible.
To help support POMDR, Cafe Carmel will provide guests the opportunity to grab one large Costco Dog Bone for their four-legged friends in return for a minimum contribution of $1 into the donation bin. All of the money raised through this program will directly benefit the nonprofit.
The cafe’s history includes a tradition that dates back to 1952, when the Wishart family opened their iconic bakery in the 1920s building. It remained Wishart’s into the 1980s, changing ownership three times since then but continuing as a bakery/café.
While maintaining the rich tradition and honoring past customer favorites, Cook has updated the menu based on her own family favorites. Baked goods, such as croissants, Danish pastries and muffins, are prepared daily. Breakfast, brunch and lunch offerings are cooked to order, using fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Café Carmel prides itself on countering its sweet treats with a lineup of healthful food, including vegan and vegetarian dishes, along with gluten-free and non-dairy options.
To give back to her loyal customers, Cook has launched a new promotion to reward return visits. Customers may place any order of $10 or more before 11 a.m., and receive a promotional card to come back the same day between 3-8 p.m. to receive 25 percent off their entire order.
Café Carmel is on the north side of Ocean Avenue between Mission and San Carlos Streets. Call (831) 624-3870 or visit www.cafecarmel.comto place an order for takeout.
About Peace of Mind Dog Rescue
Peace of Mind Dog Rescue is a resource and advocate for senior dogs and senior people on California’s Central Coast. Their vision is to bring about a positive change in the way society thinks about and treats senior dogs, and to create better lives for them through rescue, foster, adoption, hospice and education. Contact Peace of Mind Dog Rescue at (831) 718-9122 or donate online at www.peaceofminddogrescue.org.