Facing Seaside II: Counterpoint Coffee Shop
Counterpoint Coffee Shop representing at The Weston Collective
Counterpoint Coffee Shop, located at the bottom of Broadway Avenue in Seaside, boasts various exemplary beverages to entice returning patrons and those passing by. They serve every style of coffee you can imagine, some you may not have heard of, using beans roasted locally. Pair your delicious drink with a delicate pastry while you sit and listen to old vinyl spinning in the background (they only play records!). You may even hear live music drifting from the recording studio that's inside the coffee shop.
In addition, local wines and beers are available to those looking for a low-key environment for intimate conversations and creative thinking. The owner, Max Georis, says, "The community has literally decorated the entire place." Counterpoint Coffee Shop is a delightful location with an artistic ambiance and the highest quality of offerings, and success is apparent with the number of people flowing in daily. It is a terrific gathering place for coffee lovers, locals, creative spirits, artists, musicians, and many more.
Student Portrait Session
Behind the Scenes
Business Visit
Counterpoint Barista | ©Zach Weston
Business Interview Questions
Are you from Monterey County, if not where are you from?
Yes I am born and raised in Monterey ! Been here since 88
When did you move to Seaside?
I got onto the seaside scene about 5 years ago now
What brought you to Seaside?
I had been living in Belgium after a ten year stint in Los Angeles. When I approached returning to the states, going home seemed to be a great option.
When was your business established in Seaside?
Counterpoint was established 4 years ago.
What was the main reason / motivation to start your business?
The main motivation to open Counterpoint was that I never want to feel like I have a “job” in the traditional sense. I want to always figure out how I can take what I love and be able to do it all the time. I love listening to and making music, I love learning new skills like making coffee and just being creative in general. Counterpoint is just a physical manifestation of what I love to spend my time doing!
Do you have an educational background that helped start up the business or are you self taught?
In terms of how I learned to do what I do is a combo of things. On the Business side all the credit has to go to my Dad who basically did exactly what I hope to do which is to spend all ones time doing what they love... id have to say I learned everything from having grown up working in and spending time around his businesses my whole life. Growing up was basically a professional business course for your entire life haha!
With all the coffee related stuff I am totally self taught... just lots of research , practice, repetition and tons of dedicated time.
Pertaining to the recording studio/music component of the shop: I have been playing guitar since I was 7 and made my entire life about pursuing music until the shop opened . I attended music school and moved to LA shortly after where I spent a lot of time composing music, recording and playing with a band as well.
Is this work that has been in your family for generations, or did you start this business with a vision of your own?
Since Counterpoint is a manifestation of what I enjoy, the mentors are a pretty wide range of people but I find that they are all integral to how I learned to be hard working and dedicated to whatever pursuits I have in life. I’m the first generation of Counterpoint.
Who are your inspirations? (business or otherwise)
Inspirations are Heavy metal music ( I love all music and studied jazz don't worry )
My family
Art
All music
Cool creative people
Discipline to ones craft
What would you say is your business specialty?
Counterpoints specialty is that we only play vinyl ( we have a huge collection ), there's a recording studio, and we make the best coffee in the area.
What are your hopes and dreams for the future of your business?
The future hopes and dreams I have for the shop are hopefully that more and more people come to hang out!
What would be a single piece of advice that you would give someone who is thinking of starting up their own business?
My advice to anyone starting a business is to approach it with this quote in mind
“ You can fail miserably doing something you hate, so why not do something you love?”
What are your feelings about community, what does community mean to you here in Seaside? Is community important to you?
I love the community here in seaside ! I've been on broadway since the beginning of the remodel of the street. I have met an entirely new group of people that I now call my closest friends .
How does the community influence and or engage with your business?
The community has influence the shop in a way that's hard to describe . The physical building has been painted by some amazing artists. In the back alley behind the shop we have a full wall mural everyone should absolutely check out! I have art from all sorts of creative people all over my shop on the inside as well. The community has literally decorated the entire place .
Were you thinking of setting up your business in any other location? Or was it always meant to be here in Seaside?
Counterpoint was always meant for seaside for sure!
Do you have any plans for expansion?
If everything goes horribly right haha.
Who is your typical customer?
My typical customer could be anyone as long as they like vinyl music and kickass coffee.
How long have you had your business here on Broadway Street?
4 years on new years !
What is your customer demographic, who are you trying to reach?
Music liking, beer or coffee sippin cool people
Do you have social media for your business? What platforms?
You can find us on Instagram : Counterpointcoffeeshop. No website at this time but maybe one day
How are you currently marketing to potential customers?
I honestly don’t market much. I engage directly with the community and have an occasional show at the shop to get people together .
What support would you be interested in for your business?
The only support I want and need is simply more people who want to come hang out at the shop and enjoy some tunes and drinks. Come hang!
Please provide an example of our community in action in relation to your business? Or when do/have you feel most supported by the community?
I think when people really came together was when the world shut down due to COVID . It was so great seeing people still showing up and supporting the shop. Ill forever been indebted to the community for that level of support .
How does your business show up for the community?
I think that if anything the community shows up for us!
Over the years, what have you seen change on Broadway? Good and/or bad.
Well since I grew up here I remember when broadway was nothing like it is now. But over the years I've seen new life to come into the area. I can feel that there's something awesome thats in store for us all here . So much potential !
What would you like to see more of on Broadway? (if anything)
Id love to see more shops and businesses come to broadway
What sets your business apart from the other businesses in the area? What makes your business unique, desirable or in demand in 2022?
Everything about Counterpoint sets us apart . You just have to come in to find out for yourself!
Is there anything else unique about the goods or services your business offers that you would like to mention here?
Come in and ask about our secret menu or just come in and ask us to make you whatever we feel like and live dangerously .