Long Dog Coffee and Treats Founder Steven Capizzi shares a coffee drink surrounded by several of his loyal dog-loving customers. After spending nearly 20 years working in coffee shops, Capizzi learned to create an atmosphere open for feedback and menu changes. “I’ll listen to what the team and my customers like, and then give my employees creative space to try new things,” he says.
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Long Dog Coffee and Treats
The newly opened Long Dog Coffee and Treats is fetching a fresh take in Old Towne, where the dachshund-themed coffee shop replaced Sweetheart Cafe and has been serving humans and their furry friends since November.
Founder Steven Capizzi, who has almost two decades of coffee shop experience, recently moved to Orange to open the cafe.
“I’ve always had the weiner dog brand in the back of my mind because the breed makes me laugh,” he says. “There’s something about the brand that attracts a really fun, laid-back clientele.”
The cafe specializes in handcrafted treats and beverages for two-legged and four-legged customers. Humans can indulge in French macarons, lemon bars and tiramisu, alongside classic coffees and specialty drinks like the maple spice latte. Dogs get their own menu of treats.
Drawing from his extensive background as a baker and a barista, Capizzi creates everything in-house, and his hazelnut latte highlights this dedication. He roasts and grinds the hazelnuts before steeping them in simple syrup, a time-sensitive process that Capizzi says is worth the exceptional flavor.
Long Dog marks Capizzi’s first business venture, a step he took after years of gaining experience in baking, coffee-making and management. For him, the work has culminated in a job where he feels rewarded every day.
“I love my regulars who come in the morning for a coffee and a pastry, and then a treat for their dog,” says Capizzi. “It’s nice to know that I can be a little piece of their routine, and then they’ll continue doing amazing things in their day.”
His approach has earned praise from both customers and neighboring business owners.
“When my wife and co-owner, Gretchen, and I first walked into Long Dog, we immediately fell in love with the vibe and the atmosphere,” says Steve Molina, Founder of the nearby Groovy Ghost Vintage. “Steven is very personable and supportive and it feels like a win-win to have him in the community.”
Though he’s new to the neighborhood, Capizzi has developed a deep appreciation for Old Towne and its character.
“The charm of Old Towne is magical and it reminds me of the cobblestone alleys I saw studying abroad in Florence,” he says. “There’s something about this location that captured my imagination, and I’m grateful that people here are rooting for small businesses.”
Long Dog Coffee and Treats
152 North Glassell St., Suite D, Old Towne Orange, CA 92866 / 714-941-9495
