A Bay Area Coffee Shop Owner Goes Missing

A coffee shop owner from the Bay Area, previously involved in a controversial anti-Semitic incident, has vanished, and authorities say they are running out of time to find her.

Amy Hillyard, 52, who co-owns the Furry’s coffee chain, was reported missing earlier this week. Reportedly, she was last spotted on Radnor Road in Oakland’s Cleveland Heights neighborhood at about 2 p.m. on Wednesday.

Officials are treating Hillyard as a suspect, citing an “at risk” status due to her medical condition, which has heightened her anxiety during the ongoing search. She’s described as approximately 5-foot-4, weighing around 120 pounds, with blonde hair and hazel eyes. The last known outfit she wore was tan clothing.

According to a neighbor, who spoke to KTVU, Hillyard was seen taking her dog for a walk shortly before her disappearance.

Interestingly, her husband mentioned that she left her cell phone behind at home, adding to the mystery.

Hillyard and her husband run Farley’s coffee shops in both Oakland and San Francisco. Despite their success, her name has recently resurfaced in the media due to previous scandals.

In late 2023, the Furry’s brand faced significant backlash after a viral incident occurred at one of their Oakland locations. An employee was filmed preventing a Jewish customer from accessing the restroom, which reportedly had anti-Semitic graffiti present. Inflammatory comments from staff were also noted, causing public outrage.

The repercussions were immediate, with several employees dismissed, and the store took steps to distance itself from these actions.

Currently, friends, clients, and law enforcement are urgently seeking answers regarding Hillyard’s whereabouts. As the situation unfolds and anxiety mounts, Oakland police are encouraging anyone with any leads to step forward.