Jake's Cafe & Catering, a breakfast-and-lunch mainstay just west of Livermore Municipal Airport, quietly served its last meals yesterday, closing up shop after 12 years in business. Owner and chef Jake Palmer had already let regulars know he planned to step away, and in a final message, he thanked his staff and the loyal crowd that kept the place humming. The shutdown leaves a familiar corner of the Wright Brothers Avenue strip without its neighborhood diner and catering outfit.
Owner's farewell and free burritos
In a video posted to Jake's Cafe & Catering's Instagram, Palmer told customers he was ready for a break and needed to focus on his health, inviting anyone who wanted to swing by for one last visit. According to WhatNow, the cafe marked its final two days by handing out free breakfast burritos while supplies lasted, a parting thank you to the regulars who had packed the dining room for years.
A hometown spot since 2014
The cafe's website lists its address as 51 Wright Brothers Ave and notes that Jake's Cafe first opened in January 2014. Jake's Cafe built a following with made-from-scratch sandwiches, classic breakfast plates and a modest catering arm that eventually grew into full-service hours for local offices and events.
Part of a wider Bay Area shakeout
Palmer's decision comes at a time when independent restaurants across the Bay Area have been closing or cutting back. Eater SF has tracked a continuing wave of shutdowns that highlights the economic pressures still bearing down on small operators.
Thanks to staff and customers
In his farewell posts, Palmer thanked his crew, his regulars and the wider Livermore community, and urged locals to stop in during the cafe's final service. As WhatNow reported, Palmer, a Livermore native and Granada High School graduate, plans to concentrate on his health for now before deciding what comes next.
