By Clarisse Kim

Nestled on the corner of Clement and Fourth Avenue, the Blue Danube Coffee House beckons people in with its brightly colored paint job and flowering parklet. In contrast, the interior is the definition of bohemian style – vintage furniture and eclectic decorations turn the room into a one-of-a-kind Inner Richmond gem.

What passersby and customers might not know, however, is that the Blue Danube has served the neighborhood for more than 40 years with history that can only be described as dynamic.

The cafe was originally founded in 1979 by Roger Bernhardt. Named after Bernhardt’s favorite song, the Blue Danube cycled through four owners before being bought by Jimmy Hsu in 2003. 

“In 2003, I owned the business with a partner,” Hsu said. “After a year or so, I took over the business by myself. It’s just been me for more than 10 years now.”

As the fifth and current owner, Hsu adds his own personal flair to the cafe. He has “touched up” the coffee house’s mystical feel and contributed his own dishes to the menu. Before the pandemic, Hsu also used to host poetry, comedy and music nights at the cafe, as well as weddings and other parties. The cafe doubles as a gallery for local art, which helps local artists sell their work.

“We just wanted to make the Blue Danube a place where the community could have fun,” Hsu said.

In 2021, the cafe’s deep and long-standing ties to the community earned it the status of legacy business. The Legacy Business Program of San Francisco gives this designation to historical and culturally impactful businesses. Created in 2015, the program supports small businesses with grants, business and marketing help, as well as recognition from the City. 

The Blue Danube prides itself in selling traditional and local coffee alongside colorful juices and a wide array of meals. Customer favorites include the Mexican hot chocolate and Hulk smoothie. The breakfast bagels, house salad and rosemary chicken are also house specialties. 

“We pack in a lot on the menu,” Hsu said. “We’re like a restaurant – we offer a lot of wholesome dishes in addition to our drinks.”

But above all, the cafe’s philosophy centers around the customer. Hsu said that he wants his customers to feel good about what they are drinking and who they are buying from.

“The way I see it, the coffee is free,” Hsu said. “You’re paying three dollars to feel good – we’re serving cups of good feelings!”

Hsu states that the staff is a driving force behind this philosophy; members are encouraged to give every dish their all and to provide the best service possible.

“The staff is amazing. We’re like a family.” Hsu said. “They make honest drinks and dishes they feel good about, and they’ve helped the business in so many ways.”

However, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic still linger. Like other small businesses, Hsu has struggled to stay open. He was forced to shorten his business hours and cut back on hosting community events.

Despite the challenges, Hsu remains optimistic, saying that the Blue Danube has adapted to a new trend of coffee culture. Customers are now sitting down to wait for their coffee instead of grabbing a cup to go, a habit caused by an increasingly remote workforce. Now that more people are working at home, people have the means and time to visit a cafe to do their work. 

“The Blue Danube is a place where a lot of people sit down with their laptop and coffee to get work done,” Hsu said. “We’re now a popular bridge between home and work. Our daytime business is doing better than before.”

In terms of the future, Hsu is in the process of extending the Blue Danube’s lease, which ends in April, 2024. He hopes he gets a good term going forward into 2024. He also hopes that other small businesses, especially local eateries, will continue to regain their bearings despite declining nightlife.

“I was driving down Clement Street on a Thursday night, and it felt so quiet and dead.” Hsu said. “It’s not what it used to be; I hope those mom-and-pop shops fully recover soon.”

Hsu is especially excited to celebrate two major milestones later this month. In September or October, Hsu plans on helping his wife, Ashley Zografos, and her partner, Ashlee Thompson open a bakery called Batches Bakehouse. 

Also, on Sept. 26, Hsu will have owned the Blue Danube for exactly 20 years. To celebrate his 20th anniversary, Hsu plans on giving free coffee and baked goods from Batches Bakehouse to all customers.

“I want to celebrate and appreciate all our customers,” Hsu said. “Thank you for allowing us to be here for 20 years and counting!”

The Blue Danube Coffee House is at 306 Clement St., near the corner of Fourth Avenue. To learn more, visit bluedanube.square.site. To learn more about the Legacy Business Program, visit sf.gov/legacy-business-program.