Lambrettas and d Coffee
Done with racing, John was still taken with Lambrettas, but now primarily as icons decorating his three cafes: Cafe Lambretta, Cento, and Vega. He got the idea back in the 80s, but it wasn’t until 2006 when his son was born that he decided to stop working at night in the restaurant industry, and open a daytime cafe operation. “This pushed me to create the Cafe Lambretta business model,” he said. John’s Zagat-rated cafes roast their own beans and offer high-end baked goods they make themselves. He’s intentionally not offering wi-fi to give patrons a break from e-mail, and it seems quite a success. His customers are 90% tech industry workers. “Most customers work in the neighbourhood and they need to get out of their offices, and away from their cubicles for a while.”
Customer Jordon Le Boeuf, who rides a red 1962 Lambretta S3 TV175, told us: “Walking into John’s cafes is a unique feeling. Part of it is a feeling of belonging because of the common love of the Lambretta. Where else are you going to find an actual Lambretta in a cafe or parts of one? Nowhere, very cool!
“Whether riding a Lambretta or any scooter for that matter I have always felt a sense of being free, and not constricted to what is around me. My preferred mode of transportation is the scooter. The fact that I am able to ride a beautifully designed very unique piece of machinery that is more than 50 years old is an absolute bonus.”
Sydnee Wayman rides a 1980 Lambretta Jet 200 she’s owned for 23 years. She grew up with classic cars and motors so she’s always had an interest in vintage. Syd wishes more women would ride Lambrettas.
She loves the scooter scene. “The people are friendly, and diverse. It’s such a great community. The Lambrettas are works of art, and through them I’ve met people all over the world.” She’s known John for about 18 years and added: “His cafes have great atmosphere, coffee, and pastries. Scooters create community.”