Five07 Serves Coffee and Community
When The Five07 celebrates its one-year anniversary in late January, the Thousand Oaks coffee house can reflect back on all that it has accomplished in a short time. This public space has become both a social and creative hub for the community. Founders Sean and Amber McCarthy based their business on the five steps of the creative process: inspiration, build-up, resistance, overcoming and collaboration, where these values are instilled and embedded in the company's name and practice.
The Five07, which offers an array of coffee drinks and menu items, has a unique and somewhat unusual business hours of operation. Closing at midnight every day is greatly appreciated by guests and provides them with a relaxed, encouraging and innovative environment available both day and night. Questioning why other similar establishments in the community close early sparked the vision of the business.
The business does its part in helping the environment with “for here” ceramic mugs (created by Somis artist Ashley Konzmann) for hot drinks, glass mason jars and reusable stainless-steel straws for iced drinks and cutlery for food items. These practices have been included from day-one, inspired by Sean’s sustainable business practices course in college. They estimate that using reusable stainless-steel straws has saved about 1,000 plastic straws per week.
A variety of plant-based milk alternatives are on hand for customers, as well as an assortment of vegan items. Vegan and gluten-free sweet treats are provided by Karma Baker in Westlake Village. The Five07 team also sources local and seasonal ingredients as much as possible, like strawberries, lemons and avocados. Ventura’s Centri Coffee provides the fresh-roasted, certified organic coffee. They also offer a rotating roaster option each week, where they collaborate with both community and remote farmers, bringing diversity and an awareness of flavors, notes and origins of coffee to customers.
The Five 07 excels at social sustainability by opening a space to bring together the community. Driven by kindness, creative energy and empathy, events like open mic nights, live music Saturdays and communal meeting/study spaces are made possible.
True to its community roots, The Five07 graciously provided complimentary coffee to first responders and community members during the severe wildfires in early November. Sean says that “the ability to be there with and for people” makes all the difference.
