Hobee’s Mourns Loss of Former Co-Owner Peter Taber
We are so very sad to announce the passing of longtime Hobee’s co-owner Peter Taber. Peter died peacefully at his Los Altos Hills home yesterday after a yearlong battle with melanoma. He was 63 years old. His husband and fellow former owner, Edward Gerard Fike, was by his side.
Soon after his father, Paul, opened the first Hobee’s in Mountain View in 1974, Peter decided to join the family business. His contributions are hard to overstate. Peter thrived in his various roles at the company. He served as president for nearly 20 years, overseeing Hobee’s during its peak growth phase which saw the chain expand at one point to 13 family-owned and franchised units. Peter was a talented chef and formulated some of Hobee’s most iconic recipes, including our world-famous blueberry coffeecake. During his tenure, the awards poured in: Best Breakfast, Best Brunch, Best Restaurant for Kids, Business of the Year (in six cities and our congressional district) and many more.
Peter loved the people part of the business. He got to know his legion of regular customers by name and took an active interest in nurturing employees at every level. His kindness, compassion and encouragement resulted in staff loyalty quite rare in the industry. Today, a large percentage of employees celebrate one or more decades with Hobee’s.
When Hobee’s was sold in June 2017 to veteran employees Camille Chijate and her husband Daniel, Peter was thrilled to witness the transition to the most qualified, capable buyers. Hobee’s carries on with Peter’s shining spirit and influence felt in every restaurant.
Thank you, Peter, for your talent, grace, wisdom and friendship. We love you.
