The Work Behind the Warmth
- Jeffrey Lamont Brown
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
THE WORK BEHIND THE WARMTH
At the end of the day, what we do here is simple. We make croissants and sourdough, we serve coffee, we welcome people in.
We’re not curing cancer, and we’re not saving the world. But in our little corner of San Diego, we take what we do seriously.
There's a certain standard we hold ourselves to - only serving croissants and sourdough that we truly love, made with care and served hot from the oven. And alongside that, creating a space where our team welcomes guests the way they would welcome their own family into their home. Doing these things consistently, day in and day out, takes an incredible amount of focus, physical and emotional effort, and a team of people who show up ready to do hard things.
Lately, we’ve been riding some big swings. Days that are much busier than expected, in the best way, but also in a way that can take a real toll on the team. At the same time, outside of work, many are navigating rising costs of living, personal challenges, and the general weight that life can carry. And through all of that, within these walls, the work still asks a lot. To stay sharp, to move quickly, to take care of each other, and to take care of every guest who walks in.
What’s been incredibly meaningful to witness is how the team shows up in the middle of all of it. You see it in moments like this. Our HR Manager Krystal stepping in to move 50-pound bags of flour, just getting it done without hesitation. You see it in the team members who come in on their day off to cover a shift, who stay a little longer after a long day, or who show up hours early just to make sure they’ll be on time. Again and again, people find ways to keep things moving while still taking care of one another.
There’s a quiet strength in that. A shared mindset of stepping in, figuring it out, and getting it done together.
So thank you for sharing with us the joy that IZOLA brings into your life. What you experience as a guest, a croissant served hot from the oven, a space that feels welcoming and alive, is made possible by a team of people carrying a lot more than you might see.
We’re grateful for them. And we’re grateful for you.
Come say "hi" to our superstar team -
OPEN EVERY DAY 7a–2p
WE'RE GETTING CLOSE
Voting for the San Diego Union-Tribune Best Of is underway, and thanks to you, IZOLA is in 7 categories:
Bakery • Breakfast • Brunch • Business Lunch • Coffeehouse • Desserts • Dog-Friendly Restaurant
Still kind of amazing to see.
If IZOLA has been part of your routine — a morning stop, a weekend ritual, a place you bring friends — we’d be incredibly grateful for your support.
It only takes a few seconds, and it genuinely makes a difference.
Pro tip: hit Command + F (or Ctrl + F) and search “IZOLA” — it’ll take you straight to each category.
We’ve always grown through word of mouth, through this community showing up for us in big and small ways. This is one of those moments where it really matters.
Thank you for being part of it.
SATURDAY LIVE MUSIC
Every Saturday, we host live music at the bakeshop. Please note that due to a special event, live music will be held from 8a-noon this weekend.
Come on by to see how talented our local San Diego musicians are! Follow us on Instagram to see the lineup each week.
LEATEA
8-9a
Leatea (San Diego native Dylann Jelden) has been a musician all her life, beginning with classical violin at age 4. She began writing songs and incorporating guitar in high school. She performs regularly in San Diego.
KAILA SHAW
9-10a
Kaila is a self-taught Singer-Songwriter and acoustic guitar player. Her music style is peaceful acoustic, upbeat covers and thoughtful original lyrics and melodies. She usually performs solo, putting her heart into every song and when performing she loves encouraging the audience to experience the music and interact.
CAMILLE RAE
10-11a
Camille Rae has a captivating voice her artistry blends authenticity with beauty. Camille Rae stands out for her ability to convey deep emotions through her songs. Her music, a rich tapestry of Neo-soul, R&B, and Jazz, is heavily influenced by harmonious vocal arrangements and melodic bass lines. This eclectic fusion creates a sound that feels both timeless and innovative.
AARON BOWEN
11a-12p
Aaron Bowen is a local San Diego musician, guitar builder, and well practiced recording artist. Bowen has recorded and produced many local musicians, he has lifted the music community in San Diego. His musical style encompasses many genres fused into a unique, well sculpted tone, that encapsulates the listener into a trance. Aaron plays at Izola often, we are lucky to have him.
MADDIE MJELDE
12-1p
Madeleine Mjelde is a songwriter and musician currently obsessing over her debut album, Etherlines. This project takes influences from the moments in life that cause time to stop, speed, or cease to exist entirely. With a mixture of folk, indie, and alt rock genres, Madeleine’s music seeks to inspire and restore us to a more beautiful vision of life.