Helping cafés create the space of their dreams is one of our favorite parts of the job — and Lovebird Coffee in Chico, California, is a perfect example of how thoughtful design and custom equipment can bring a business’s vision to life.
From the start, founder Rebecca knew she wanted more than just great coffee — she wanted to bring warmth, connection, and a little nostalgia to her community. "I love traditional coffee culture; meeting with an old friend, holding a warm mug in your hands and talking about all of the life that's happened since your last visit," she told us. "I started Lovebird Coffee with the intention of slowing things down and connecting on a human level with our Chico community (and beyond!)."
That spirit of intentionality carried through into the design of their new café space, including a fully customized Ascaso Barista T espresso machine created in collaboration with our custom shop.
Lovebird Coffee first launched as a coffee trailer, serving from a hand-restored, bright yellow 1960 Kenskill Camper. So when it came time to expand to a second space, keeping the heart of their original business alive was key. "Our trailer was a huge part of our identity, and we wanted to carry that same energy into the café," Rebecca shared. "Finding a custom color that was nearly identical to our Lovebird Coffee trailer was the answer."
With dandelion yellow panels and dark wooden handles, the customized Ascaso machine strikes a bold balance between vintage charm and professional polish. "I wanted our entire business to be reminiscent of the late 1960's and early 1970's style," Rebecca said. "I couldn't think of a more authentic mid-century feel."
Bringing the custom build to life was just as smooth as the machine's final finish. When asked about the process of choosing and customizing an espresso machine, she described it as "Seamless! In particular, Jay Childs was a treat to work with," Rebecca noted. "The entire Espresso Parts team — from submitting an inquiry form on their website to post-sale excellence — was incredibly thoughtful, responsive, and a breeze to work with."
Our custom shop exists to bring your business to life in the most personal way — whether you're designing a statement piece for your new space or revamping your equipment to better match your vibe. From color-matched panels to powder coating and wood accents, we offer full-service customization for new machines and refurb projects. Every build is done in-house at our Washington state headquarters by a small team of with decades of combined experience.
We couldn’t be more honored to have played a part in Lovebird Coffee’s growth story. If you’re ever near Chico, stop in, say hi, and take in the vibes — one beautiful espresso at a time.
Follow along: @lovebird.coffeeco
Ready to start your own custom build? Learn more about the process here: Custom Shop at Espresso Parts
Photos by Brett Edwards and Jason Halley
