Actor Laurence Fishburne once said, “On a motorcycle, you can’t really think about more than where you are. There’s a freedom that comes with that — from stress, worry, and sweating the small stuff.” That’s the feeling Newberg’s newest café hopes to invoke. Welcome to See See Motor Coffee Co.
You may have seen the buzz of activity going on at the vacant gas station at 1010 E. 1st Street, on the corner of Highway 99 and Highway 240 in Newberg. That’s the work of Conner Runia, the manager of the cafe, and his crew. They’ve been converting the Leif’s gas station into a hard-to-pigeonhole entertainment and gathering place. It’s a family-friendly, moto-culture and coffee hub, where you can grab a bagel, pastry, hot dog, or breakfast burrito, then sit down with a pint of See See Lager beer on tap, and sometimes hear live music. You might even catch a movie on their back patio. Their goal is to be a central meeting point for riders of all skill levels and coffee lovers alike. They’re also a lifestyle brand with a collection of See See Motor Coffee Co. apparel, gear, and parts that will gear you up for your next ride. You should know that my words are barely doing this place justice. This is a fun thing to do in Newberg!
The coffee is terrific, and if that’s all they had, coffee-crazed Newberg would have a hit on its hands. It might even stand on its own as a museum of motorcycle gear and cool rides. Then add to it, their plan to host community events, motorcycle and car meet-ups, art shows, swap meets, arrange group rides on local routes, and you get the picture — this place is different.
See See Motorcycles began when Thor Drake and a couple of buddies talked about how they didn’t fit into the current motorcycle culture. They wanted a place, more like the world they grew up in, where people helped each other and had fun together. Instead of an image of a bad boy on a fat tire hog with skulls, they created a logo with a smiley face and two C’s as eyes. It aims to showcase its friendly approach to getting out there on your bike and enjoying a ride. See See is more than just a coffee shop, it’s more than just a motorcycle shop, it’s a big funny family of good ol’ folks that believe in having fun, riding all kinds of motorcycles, being creative, inspiring others, and being genuine to the core. They’ve even carried that spirit over to originate The One Motorcycle Show, in Portland’s Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum. The 2021 edition, in February, will be the 12th annual.
The grand opening is Friday, July 24. To celebrate, they’re planning a group ride on Saturday, July 25, from their headquarters located in Portland. Listen for the rumble as they roll into the Willamette Valley on Saturday!
There is plenty of outdoor seating and some indoor seating as well. The café’s hours are 7-7. When they’re able to host events, they’ll stay open until 10.
Take a Ride
The crew at See See has a route suggestion for your next ride. The loop route through Newberg can be found here. They recommend turning off at Bald Peak Scenic Viewpoint for a picnic. You can extend the ride if you want, stopping off at Carlton, Yamhill, and/or Gaston.
Written by: Ron Miller
The Taste Newberg website uses cookies to improve your experience. By using it, you consent to our