Fight over historic coffee shop also a fight for Oakland's soul?

Biff's Coffee Shop on Broadway had interesting architecture and a loyal customer base. It closed in the late 1990s. This photo was taken Oct. 2, 1990. Biff's Coffee Shop on Broadway had interesting architecture and a loyal customer base. It closed in the late 1990s. This photo was taken Oct. 2, 1990. Photo: Jerry Telfer, The Chronicle Photo: Jerry Telfer, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 19 Caption Close Fight over historic coffee shop also a fight for Oakland's soul? 1 / 19 Back to Gallery

The old Biff's Coffee Shop building in Oakland is a prime example of Googie-style architecture and a monument to another era.

But is it a linchpin in the fight for Oakland's soul?

That's the question the Oakland Planning Commission will answer on Jan. 20 when it considers whether to demolish the now-empty Biff's building to make way for a seven-story apartment complex.

To find out more on the debate, the Googie style, and to see more photos of the classic coffee shop, read the San Francisco Chronicle story here.