Behind The Bar With Carl
Our “Behind The Bar'“ series highlights one of our team members, celebrating their unique contribution to the Tala experience. We believe the connection across the bar can be meaningful and impactful. Our team puts a smile on the faces of so many each day by simply serving delicious beverages and being an authentic presence in each person’s day. Learn more about what makes each person on the Tala Team unique with this personal interview.
If you’ve spent a Sunday morning at our Libertyville cafe, chances are you’ve met Carl. A full-time banker and once-a-week barista, you’ll find him behind the bar every Sunday, often sporting a great T-shirt, an even greater mustache, and an apron covered in pins. When he’s not at work, Carl is usually off exploring somewhere new, taking his dog on a spontaneous road trip, or spending time with his family. Silly, adventurous, and always up for a good conversation, Carl brings an unmistakable energy and plenty of personality to our Sunday mornings. We hope you enjoy getting to know him as much as we have!
What is your position at Tala?
I feel like I’m “the killer of Sunday mornings”. I’m usually a cafe attendant: behind the register or doing dishes.
How long have you been at Tala?
It has been two and a half years! It was Summer 2024.
What is your favorite drink to make and to consume?
I get a Cold Brew Lemonade. My favorite drink to make is either a cappuccino or a plain latte. Everything else is too complicated! Just let me put espresso and pour the milk.
Which Tala drink best matches your personality?
Maybe it is the Birthday Cake Latte, because I’m joyous and like to celebrate!
What is your coffee hot take?
French presses… are not that bad!
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I collect niche fragrances.
If you weren't working in coffee, what do you think you'd be doing?
Well… I do work at a bank… But if I wasn’t doing that either, I would run a perfumery with my wife.
What's your ideal day off look like?
Taking my dog… Getting her in the car… Picking a direction… and driving until I get tired. Sometimes I stay the night where I am if I went far enough!
What's your dream travel destination?
I’m going to Maine in October, which I’ve been dreaming about as of late. My next biggest dream destination is Big Bend National Park in Texas.
What's something on your bucket list?
I want to go to Gates of the Arctic in Alaska with my son.
What's your current hyperfixation?
Antique typewriters! I was inspired by the book Salem’s Lot by Stephen King. I want to write a page a day when I travel.
If you could work a shift with any celebrity, who would it be?
Well, this is someone who probably would not do their job, but I think Selena Gomez’s husband, Benny Blanco. I think he’d be such a cool dude to hang out with. I’ve always thought that.
What fictional character do you think you'd be friends with?
Shaggy and Scooby!
Sweet or savory?
Savory, absolutely. You could completely eliminate sweet from my diet, and I would be fine.
What's your favorite thing to recommend to first-time Tala customers?
I always tell them about the seasonal drinks, so right now it is the Funky Monkey. Then I usually tell people that the Unit B is very popular and it’s our Libertyville cafe exclusive.
Do you have any finishing thoughts? Anything to tell the fans?
I’ll be there Sunday morning!
Callum O’Sullivan
Callum hails from the great Libertyville, Illinois, where he has lived for all of his twenty years. As of late, you can catch him in Fort Collins, Colorado, where he recently began his studies in Cultural Anthropology at Colorado State University. When he is not studying, you can often find him playing video games or climbing the beautiful Rocky Mountains.