By ELISE GRAY
Special to the Alpine Mountaineer
Nestled along Pleasant Drive, LuluBelle’s Coffee House & Bakery has expanded its services into evening hours with the launch of its newest endeavor, Lucy’s Supper Club. Affectionately named after the owners’ beloved Anatolian shepherd, Lucy, this new offering gives Running Springs residents and visitors another dining option on the mountain.
Michelle DiGiovanni, one of the owners, says the idea grew naturally out of community demand. “We applied for our beer and wine license last December and knew we wanted to do more than just breakfast and lunch,” DiGiovanni said. “We wanted to create a space where people could gather in the evenings.”
DiGiovanni, a former medic of 18 years, moved from Los Angeles to the mountains after working in Century City and later in San Bernardino schools as a medical professional supporting medically fragile children. Baking began as a hobby, she explained, but quickly became a business. “I used to bake for my boys all the time and started out at the farmers market,” she said. “Before long, that was taking off, so we looked for property, found this space and renovated it during COVID.”
The café opened its doors in late October 2020 and has built a loyal following for its scratch-made food and mountain hospitality. The Supper Club extends that community-driven spirit into the evening, with dishes like the pesto chicken sandwich, brownie à la mode and seasonal house-baked desserts.
For the DiGiovannis, this move is as much about creativity as sustainability. “We asked ourselves how we could expand hours, and offer something exciting, and still make it work,” DiGiovanni said. Word-of-mouth about their mouth-watering baked goods and delicious coffee has been their best advertising, not to mention their deep involvement in the community. LuluBelle’s hosts various community events, from pop- ups empowering other local businesses like bookstores or apothecaries to the recent cybersecurity event for senior community members.
With their beer and wine license approved and Lucy’s Supper Club gaining traction, LuluBelle’s hopes to keep evolving. “We’ve had such incredible community support,” DiGiovanni said. “This is our way of giving something back.”
Located at 31621 Pleasant Drive, LuluBelle’s remains a cozy hub for locals, now serving both early risers and evening diners. You can catch Lucy’s Supper Club on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 5 to 8 p.m., no reservations needed.
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