Owners Andy and Michelle Coppock did not move here planning to be restaurateurs. In fact, they arrived here chasing gold. An engineer and a professional writer, they met years ago on a ghost hunt in a haunted house as part of the TAPS research team. Their travels around the world included lots of stops in old ghost towns that were often gold rush towns, too, It wasn't long before they acquired a few hard rock mining claims in Arizona and California, as respite from the city. As the gold bug bit harder and the mountains and trees felt more like home, it was harder  to leave the claims and be back in the chaos of the city. Gold mining friends in La Grange encouraged them to look at claims here. Between the magic of Yosemite, and the magic of this quiet lake community, they didn't bother driving back down south.

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The first restaurant in Coulterville was almost an accident. Michelle was baking sourdough, fruit pies, and fresh donuts as a side gig for fun, outgrew her residential kitchen, and decided to open a public space to share baked goods and pastry. A beloved restaurant cafe owner had recently retired from the space, and the community was hungry! Knowing Andy was a hell of a cook, too, she roped him into helping her get a full service restaurant started in addition to baked goods. They made a great team, fell in love with nourishing people, and tapped into their shared joy of helping communities grow and thrive.

 

The Mineshaft Restaurant is their 3rd iteration of food spots after outgrowing smaller spaces and needing more to give more. The building itself has endured a monumental remodel and transformation over the last few years with incredible support from the Keller Family. They knew how important the building was for feeding the entire area, making sure that not only was that need filled, but that this building itself  would be strong and correct, able to serve the community long after we are all gone. The Coppock Family, the staff of the Mineshaft, Lake Don Pedro and surrounding communities are immensely grateful for their passion and commitment on this (more enormous than ever expected) task!

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The Coppock's will tell you that their restaurants have always been "much more than just food." Although nourishing locals and visitors alike has been the highest honor. It is also a gathering place, a memory maker, a spot where community members come together to solve problems. It's a fund raiser arena and training ground for youth. It's casual, familiar comfort food, but also fine dining, and occasionally a fun journey tasting food around the world. It's sit and enjoy a meal, grab coffee and pastry to go, get ice cream with the kids, have us bring food to your home, or stop in to pick up fresh veg, fruit, and hot deli food. It's gathering together to watch a ball game, hear great music, laugh with a comedian, sing your heart out, or be mind blown by a magician. It's after-school programs, community meetings, weddings, art classes, and dance lessons. 

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It's also a building designed to celebrate the adventurous spirit of everyone who has lived here - those born and raised here, or who settled here chasing their dreams. Whether it be gold mining, mountain climbing, fishing, ranching, farming, hiking, homesteading, raising a family for country roots, or being called here by the mountains, vast open spaces and beauty. We all share some things in common.  The courage to embark on journeys that aren't for everyone... and being grateful stewards of this special place.