Audrey Hermes - Coffee Business Owner - The Faces of San Diego

Hello!

I live downtown San Diego, and spend most of my time in Little Italy. I was born and raised in a small town in North Dakota, and I attended college in Salt Lake City, then moved out to San Diego after graduation. My husband and I own Frost Me Café and Bakery in Little Italy and we are proud supporters of our community. My love of people, being creative, and overcoming obstacles is how I ended up at the place I am today. In my free time, you can find me walking the beautiful harbor or enjoying the amazing food that makes San Diego a wonderful culinary hub.

Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.

I currently reside with my husband Jon, two cats Wolfie and Chico, and our turtle Henry.

Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?

I have spent my whole life working in the restaurant industry. My mother also was in the industry and I would listen to her stories about her work, how to treat guests and so on, so I guess it has just always been a part if my life. In 2009 I decided to start a little at home bakery, mainly for fun and I didn’t take it too seriously. After graduating from college and moving to San Diego I decided to actually make a go of it and get a business license, and that is when Frost Me Café and Bakery was born. Our bakery is located in the heart of Little Italy, in the Piazza Della Famiglia, and we couldn’t be more proud to call San Diego our home. What I love most about what I do for a living is the people of our community that I have the pleasure serving. San Diego and Little Italy has such a vibrant mix of people of all ages, and backgrounds and I just love being a part of it.

Q: What advice would you give to people?

I guess that is a pretty open ended question, it depends on what subject it is. Overall, what I would say is to always send out good intentions into the world, and be kind to one another.

Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?

My goal is to travel more. I visited Europe for the first time last year, and now I have the travel itch. I hope in the next 5-10 years wherever my homebase may be, I can look back at my travels and everything I have learned from other cultures.

COMMUNITY

Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?

There are so many to choose from, but my go to’s are Ironside, Nolita Hall, Mona Lisa Deli, Barbusa, Herb and Wood, and Crack Shack.

Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?

13 years

Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?

There is no way I can narrow that down to one person. I have made so many friends from all walks of life that have made a huge impact in my life. There are two people, Wes Severson and Loraine Jackson, who have been very supportive through my entire San Diego journey. Both had been previously self-employed, and they are a little older and a lot wiser than I am and their advice, guidance, and friendship has been a blessing in my life. Now they are like family and some of my biggest cheerleaders.

Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?

The first coffee shop I ever visited in San Diego at was Café Italia. We walked around the farmer’s market, bought some fresh strawberries, and sat down to have a cappuccino. I was in love with Little Italy from that day forward. Not to mention, the owner Steve is a pillar of the little Italy neighborhood and community and I have so much respect for him.

Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?

I love that we all support and love one another. Businesses support other businesses, neighbors support neighbors. It really does feel like we are all in it together.

Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?

OTHER/FUN QUESTIONS

Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?

Yellowstone

Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?

I was a dancer most of my life until opening a bakery

Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?

Q: Who inspires you to be better?

My husband Jon, my family, and our staff at Frost Me Café and Bakery