About 300 people milled in and out of the newest location of Temple coffeehouse at 2829 S St. for the grand opening Saturday evening.

The new coffeehouse is the second Temple location in Sacramento.

The front area of the building was crowded with young people, business professionals and families mingling. The back room of the café was opened up as a space to snack and play darts.

Drinks were free for those attending the private opening event. Anything the customer wanted, the baristas were happy to make.

The second location was well-received by community members.

“I was so excited that we have an authentic coffee shop in our neighborhood,” said Ann Hamilton, a board member for the Newton Booth Neighborhood Association. “The board is really thrilled, and I personally am really thrilled.”

The event attracted people from beyond the Grid. Baristas from Santa Cruz and San Francisco were present at the event to support the opening.

Scott Guglielmino is a coffee wholesale director for Verve coffee roasters in Santa Cruz. He had much to say about the future of Temple.

“Temple will be roasting their own coffee, which will be a great thing for Sacramento to have,” Guglielmino said.

He estimated the roasting facility to be running in about six months. The back room featured the cafe's first roaster (pictured above), and Guglielmino said it has roots in San Francisco as Ritual Coffee’s first roaster.

Much of the encouragement Temple Manager Scott Sean Kohmescher received from the community in Sacramento and beyond has to do with the philosophy of Temple coffee.

He said fair trade coffee and teas are “something we believe in—we believe in community and in things being organic.”

Hamilton lives two blocks away and reflected on a meet-and-greet Temple had with the community Saturday morning: “They had a little morning treat for the neighborhood with coffee and pastries, and it was delightful!”

The opening party brought many community members who celebrated the growth of a sanctuary together, and it would not be possible without the support of the staff and baristas working hard to keep the crowd hydrated.

“They are just awesome!,” Hamilton said. She was impressed by the enthusiasm of the staff and how the baristas would applaud the classical guitarist and flutist when the musicians couldn’t be heard over the noise.

The staff was a key part of making decision in developing the idea for the new location. “It’s really important for the staff to be on par with what we’re doing and to make that transition to opening another space,” Kohmescher said. “Businesses don’t function without staff that are involved.”

The night progressed, and the older crowd trickled out as the younger crowd trickled in. The large gravel parking lot was a space for conversation - people were chatting under table umbrellas, and patrons left Kohmescher with pats on the back and words of support.

“It’s an honor and wonderful that the city of Sac supports local businesses like they do,” Kohmescher said. “I’m glad everyone came out and pretty amazed by the turn out.”