SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – A good coffee shop offers patrons a social anchor outside of the home, a place where it isn’t just about the eggs and pancakes. Ernie’s Coffee Shop, a staple in the South Lake Tahoe community since 1968, was purchased by Kent Baer and Nate Bergner in 2015.
This past week, Baer and Bergner celebrated 11 years in business. The American-style breakfast and lunch menu honors the former owners, Paul and Judy Bruso, with Paul’s Classic Omelette and Judy’s Veggie Scramble or Omelette. Nate’s mom (and Baer’s mother-in-law) Jean also has a menu item for the health-conscious, Grandma Jean’s Granola.
In the last 11 years, the owners went through the Caldor Fire and COVID-19, two things, along with skyrocketing egg prices (1000 percent higher than today), that created challenging times for the duo. Everything they have experienced has made them more resilient, Baer said.
“Over the last 11 years, I give the staff a lot of credit,” said Baer. “They are extremely hard-working and have a great attitude. They’ve been an absolute pleasure – I didn’t know to what extent when we started.”
Baer thought he’d start a second business when he and Bergner first started with Ernie’s.
“Ernie’s is plenty to occupy my time,” said Baer with a smile at the end of a busy weekend at Ernie’s.
Their wives work outside of the restaurant; Becky Bergner Baer is in research in the University of California system, and Nicole Bergner is a counselor at Lake Tahoe Community College. Ernie’s has been a family affair, though, with their children learning the ropes.
Baer said he and Bergner have built a lot of relationships with the community, and look to build on that for their next 11 years. Local nonprofits lean on them often for fundraisers and donations, something they do with a smile.
Happy Anniversary Ernie’s!