Faces of Downtown Bakersfield

Annie Florendo, Owner of Dagny’s Coffee Company

Dagny’s Coffee Company has long been one of those places in downtown Bakersfield that feels lived in. Not just visited, but frequented. It’s where mornings start, afternoons stretch out, and conversations unfold naturally. For many, Dagny’s is neither home nor work. It’s the place in between. A true third space. When Annie Florendo stepped into ownership in April of 2018, she didn’t come in to redefine it. She stepped in to protect and nurture what it already was.

At the time, Annie was traveling constantly for work. Although Bakersfield was home, much of her life was spent in hotels, moving from city to city, feeling increasingly disconnected. She found herself missing community in a very real way and spoke openly about that absence with friends. Not long after, an unexpected opportunity surfaced. A friend involved in an attempt to acquire Dagny’s recognized that Annie’s longing for connection aligned perfectly with what the space had always provided. The timing made sense. Dagny’s found its way to her.

From the beginning, it felt less like a business decision and more like belonging.

Established in 1996 and housed in a historic downtown building, Dagny’s carries a kind of authenticity that can’t be replicated. People from every background gather there. Regulars who come daily sit alongside people passing through town. Artists sketch at tables. Musicians stop in between sets. Conversations start between strangers and continue for years. Annie didn’t manufacture that energy. It existed long before her. Her role became one of stewardship.

Taking over a space so deeply woven into downtown meant honoring its past while allowing it to evolve naturally. Annie approaches change with care, listening closely to the people who use the space every day. Customers offer feedback freely, and she welcomes it. Their voices help keep Dagny’s grounded as a place that belongs to the community, not just the business.

Owning Dagny’s has deepened Annie’s connection to downtown Bakersfield and sharpened her sense of responsibility. Alongside her staff, she understands that they set the tone for the space. How people feel when they walk in matters. Dagny’s is meant to be welcoming, creative, and safe. That culture is something they build together, learning as they go.

While coffee may be the offering, community is the purpose. Dagny’s functions as a hub where people gather without needing a reason beyond being there. Open mics, art shows, performances, meetings, and quiet moments all coexist under the same roof. It’s a place people return to, not because they have to, but because it feels like theirs.

One moment during the holidays brought that truth into focus. A longtime customer shared that he spends most of his holidays at Dagny’s. His family has passed, and the coffee shop has become a constant in his life. He walks there daily. Hearing that changed how Annie viewed the space. The following year, she made sure the holidays felt fuller and more intentional, knowing how deeply moments like that mattered.

Running a business downtown comes with challenges. Historic buildings require constant attention, and infrastructure is always part of the work. There are also human challenges, navigating different needs, personalities, and emotions. Annie leans on her background in education and coaching, focusing on communication and compassion, believing that shared spaces work best when people feel heard.

To Annie, downtown Bakersfield is a gem. It’s a place where history and creativity intersect, where longtime residents and newcomers share the same sidewalks and tables. She hopes Dagny’s helps shift the perception that downtown is stuck in the past. Instead, she sees a neighborhood that honors where it came from while remaining open to what’s next.

Dagny’s gave Annie the community she was searching for. Today, through her care and stewardship, it continues to serve as a gathering place for downtown Bakersfield. A third space. A hub. A reminder that sometimes the most meaningful places are the ones that simply invite people to stay. Dagny’s Coffee Company is located at 19th and Eye Street in downtown Bakersfield. Stop in, stay awhile, and be part of the community.