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Rich Lee

@barista.rich

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Dad/Husband/Barista/Owner/Commissioner
If you fall seven times, stand up eight.
I have found my ikigai 生きがい.
@sprocoffeelab
@thewildfoxsf
🇺🇸🇨🇦🇭🇰

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A barista @k_e.v.i_n who used to work with me once asked, "I don't know how you can work so much."

I never really knew how to answer that.

It wasn't because I loved working more than everyone else. It was because I was never satisfied with the life I had. I knew there was more I wanted to build, more I wanted to learn, and more I believed I was capable of becoming. I wasn't trying to escape work. I was trying to create a life I didn't want to escape from.

The last two photos are drawings we made back in 2014. We imagined a café with a Modbar, a fast bar, a slow bar, and an origami-inspired ceiling years before we had the money to build any of it. For more than a decade, those ideas lived on paper. Today, they're built.

People often ask how we did it. There wasn't one big break. We didn't raise millions of dollars. We didn't come from money. We still have a roommate we found on Craigslist. We still think carefully before spending money on ourselves because we'd rather invest it back into the business. Every dollar we earned was another dollar toward the dream. We nickel-and-dimed our way here.

I've always believed that this country rewards people who are willing to build something. People come to America because they believe tomorrow can be better than today. People come to San Francisco because this city has always rewarded creativity, innovation, and people willing to bet on an idea. I honestly believe we're standing at the beginning of another chapter for this city. Blink, and you might miss it.

That's also why I wanted to get involved beyond just owning a café. I want to be part of helping shape what's next. There is so much opportunity, especially along our waterfront, and I'd rather contribute than sit back and watch it happen.

To my friends in coffee, I've said this many times: at some point, stop treating your dream like it's temporary. Popups are a great place to learn, but don't let them become a place to hide. There comes a moment when you have to commit. Sign the lease. Build the café. Start the company. Launch the project. You'll never feel completely ready, and you'll probably never have enough money. We certainly didn't. by @barista.rich

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2 months ago

It's official. I'm a Commissioner for the Port of San Francisco.

Thank you Mayor @danielluriesf for believing in me, and thank you to our Board of Supervisors for the unanimous vote of confidence. Special thanks to Chair & Supervisor @shamannwalton for giving me the chance to serve and to show up for District 10 and the southern waterfront, and to the many supervisors who have supported me and my businesses through the years. I don't take any of it lightly.

Nine years ago I started with one coffee trailer. No bank loans, no investors, just a lot of work and a city that gave me a chance. Truth is, I didn't like asking for help back then, and honestly, I didn't really know what I was doing either. In a lot of ways I'm still figuring it out. But one thing has never changed and never will. I don't give up.

People don't always understand what successful people mean when they say the show must go on. It means we keep trying until we win. That trailer grew into six businesses, all here in San Francisco, because giving up was never on the menu.

Now, helping other businesses succeed is literally my job. The restaurants, the shops, the fishing crews along our waterfront, from Fisherman's Wharf all the way down to Heron's Head Park. It's not a competition. We're all in this together.

And I'm excited for what's ahead. Bringing more visitors to San Francisco. More events, more festivals, more cruise ships, more reasons to come down to the water. A thriving waterfront means a stronger economy for the whole city. At the same time, we have serious work to do. Our seawall is over 100 years old, and we need to strengthen it, prepare for the next big earthquake, and get ready for rising seas, while making sure every neighborhood along the water benefits.

San Francisco is on the rise. We're in the middle of the next gold rush, and I'm grateful to be part of the greatest comeback in history. I'm here to join the fight for this city, and the greatest city in the world deserves nothing less.
Let's get to work. As mayor Lurie says, "Let's Go, San Francisco!" taken in San Francisco, California by @barista.rich

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3 months ago

Today, something incredible happened—not just for us, but for small businesses all across San Francisco.

Running a café here has never been easy. We’ve had to pay thousands of dollars just to put tables and chairs outside—permits, insurance, even professional design drawings. It never made sense, and I’ve said it for years: it shouldn’t be this hard to serve great coffee and build community.

Well… that all changed today.

Under the leadership of Mayor Daniel Lurie and the unanimous support of the SF Board of Supervisors, a new piece of legislation was passed—and signed right here at @sprocoffeelab —to eliminate the red tape and fees that made outdoor seating such a burden for small businesses.

It’s hard to explain how epic it felt to watch this get signed on our tables and chairs, at our café. This is real change, happening at the street level. And we’re honored to have been part of it.

This win isn’t just for SPRO. It’s for every corner café, neighborhood bakery, and family-run spot that’s just trying to make it work.

Oh, also! This falls on Aiden's first birthday!! @liza.priza
And I have lots to celebrate! 🥳🎊

To the Mayor and everyone who listened and acted—thank you. @danielluriesf
@connie_chan_sf
@stephenm
@dannysauterd3
@joel_engardio
@bilalmahmood
@mattdorseysf
@myrnamelgard7
@rafaelmandelmand8
@jackiefielder_
@shamannwalton
@chyannechensf

Let’s keep building something beautiful. #sprocoffeelab #sfbusiness #cafeculture #communityfirst #smallbusinesswin #mayordaniellurie taken in SPRO Mission Dolores by @barista.rich

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a year ago

What a weekend! I traveled to Washington to judge the U.S. Roasting Championship Qualifiers, and it was also my first time in Vancouver, WA. Absolutely beautiful. Our venue was @ifillcup in Washougal, who were incredibly gracious hosts, with @roastronix supporting and helping make the event possible. It was an exhausting few days, including a 17 hour Saturday for me, but also one of the most rewarding competition experiences I've had.

I knew judging roasting would be interesting, but I didn't fully understand the competition until I experienced it from behind the judging table. We watched roasters meticulously sort their coffees, remove defects and quakers, make decisions about their approach, and decide whether to roast once or take another shot. There were plenty of nerves, but competitors were still cheering for their friends. As judges, we evaluated fragrance and aroma, flavor, aftertaste, acidity, sweetness, mouthfeel and roast defects.

What really opened my eyes was the other half of the competition. Roasters also cup their own coffee and submit what they believe it should taste like. We then judge how accurately their descriptors match the coffee they actually produced. It's not just about roasting a great coffee. It's about understanding what you created and being able to communicate it.

After calibration, I was honored to serve as Head Judge and deliberate alongside Arash, Lora and Marcelo. I learned so much judging with them and had a lot of fun doing it.
The rest of the story and the people who made this weekend possible are in the slides. taken in Washougal, Washington by @barista.rich

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19 hours ago

It was an honor to spend some time with former Port Commissioners Gail Gilman and Steven Lee and recognize their years of service to San Francisco.

As one of the newer members of the Port Commission, I’m very aware that I’m stepping into a role shaped by people who have given years of their lives to this City. Gail and Steven brought different experiences and perspectives to the Commission, but both leave behind an incredible amount of knowledge, relationships, and work that helped move our waterfront and San Francisco forward.

Those are some very big shoes to fill.

I know I won’t replace what they brought to the Commission, nor should I try to. Instead, I hope to learn from the work they’ve done, seek their advice when I can, and build upon the foundation they helped create.

There is so much I want to accomplish during my own time at the Port, and I know there is still so much for me to learn. I’m grateful that public service also means being able to learn from those who came before us.

Thank you, Gail and Steven, for your service to San Francisco and for everything you’ve contributed to the Port. I’ll continue putting my best foot forward, doing the work, asking questions, listening, and doing my part to keep San Francisco moving in a positive direction.

And fortunately for me, I still know where to find both of you when I need some advice.

Thank you for paving the way. taken in The Port of San Francisco by @barista.rich

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11 days ago

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12 days ago

$225 for three cups of coffee and I’d do it again 🫧
a competition routine is 15 minutes a barista spends months building. six judges taste it, then it’s retired forever. @morgandrinkscoffee took theirs to US Barista Champs; won in 2022, second in the world.
the only place serving it is @thewildfoxsf. and they hand you a scorecard.
would you pay it?
📍 The Wild Fox, San Francisco @thewildfoxsf

#sanfranciscofood #specialtycoffee #coffee #sfcoffee #sanfrancisco taken in San Francisco, California by @barista.rich

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18 days ago

What if you could judge a Barista Championship? ☕️✨

One of my favorite things about San Francisco is how many people are actively creating experiences that you really can’t find anywhere else, and @barista.rich of @sprocoffeelab and @thewildfoxsf (and newly appointed Commissioner of the Port of San Francisco) is definitely one of those people.

Through SPRO and now the Wild Fox (part of the city’s @vacanttovibrant program), Rich and @liza.priza have been doing so much to push SF’s coffee scene forward? From creative competition-inspired drinks to bring some of the most special coffee experiences to the city!

Getting to experience Morgan Eckroth’s (@morgandrinkscoffee) championship routine was such an amazing example of that. It was such a cool behind the scenes look at what really goes into coffee at the highest level.

And if this is any indication of what’s to come at the Wild Fox, I can’t wait to see what they do next. 👀

📍The Wild Fox (123 Battery St, San Francisco, CA 94111)

#sanfrancisco #sfcoffee #baristachampionship by @barista.rich

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21 days ago

A rare public opportunity to try world championship level coffee in San Francisco 👀

2022 US Barista Champion @morgandrinkscoffee presented their 2026 Championship routine @thewildfoxsf.

I still can’t get over how the milk drink tasted like watermelon jolly rancher with just milk and espresso 🤯

📍The Wild Fox, San Francisco [hosted]

#baristachampionship #worldbaristachampionship #sfcoffee #coffeeislife #willwanderforfood taken in The Wild Fox by @barista.rich

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21 days ago

Would you pay $225 for three tastings of coffee?
My producer Jericho said it was the best coffee of his life!

This weekend in San Francisco, Morgan Eckroth aka @morgandrinkscoffee is at The Wild Fox with a three-course coffee presentation she created for thr 1026 US Barista Championship.

And she’s not just “coffee famous.” Morgan is the 2022 U.S. Barista Champion, a World Barista Championship runner-up, a two-time U.S. Barista Championship runner-up, and one of the most recognizable specialty coffee creators online with millions of followers.

What makes this event amazing is the clear joy Morgan has sharing her coffee creations with her fans, not just a small group of judges. Morgan says it's not common "to bring a whole barista routine or do a seating like this. It's very special!"

The menu is elaborate: Panama Elida gesha, Colombian typica mejorado, freeze-distilled lactose-free milk, coconut milk, bergamot milk punch, orange + mango juice, jasmine fog, maple syrup, N2O and more things I don’t even recognize!

I know $225 for coffee sounds like a lot…but after seeing the precision, ingredients and storytelling behind each course, I understand the price.

Would you try this?! #coffeegram #barista #sfcoffee by @barista.rich

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22 days ago

Mayor @danielluriesf alongside members of the Board of Supervisors and other City leaders has been at the forefront of reminding San Francisco that supporting small businesses is about more than keeping storefronts open. It’s about supporting the people, families, dreams, and stories behind them.

Every small business has a reason it exists. There’s passion behind the risk, sacrifice behind the doors opening each morning, and a story behind why someone chooses to build their future here in San Francisco.

I’m grateful to have a Mayor who shows up, listens, and helps shine a light on those stories. That kind of leadership reminds people why small businesses matter, and why so many of us continue to choose San Francisco as the place we call home and the place we believe is worth investing in.

Thank you, Mayor @danielluriesf for continuing to show up for San Francisco’s small business community. by @barista.rich

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a month ago

SAN FRANCISCO // For a single weekend in September, I’ll be bringing my 2026 US Barista Championship routine and drinks to @thewildfoxsf for a special set of ticketed services.

Come experience the world of competition coffee from a judge’s seat and explore flavor through a guided set of courses. During each service, I will take you through an espresso course, milk course, and signature beverage—all featuring coffees from some of the most awarded coffee farms in the world.

Each ticket includes:
-Competition routine performance
-Three drink courses
-Q&A
-Take-home gift bag

When: September 5th and 6th
Where: The Wild Fox in San Francisco

Limited spots available. Tickets are live at the link in my bio. taken in San Francisco, California by @barista.rich

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a month ago