The History of Tala Cyclists
Tala Coffee Roasters, in addition to specialty coffee, often hosts a line of cyclists snaking their way through the cafe on weekdays and weekends–opting for more traditional fare like the single shot or Gibraltar. The history between Tala and the cycling community runs deep, extending back to when the Highwood cafe first opened its doors in 2018, and has expanded ever since. Now, the Tala Team is excited to announce the Tala Cycling Waterbottle, perfect for the weekday warrior and weekend rider, and all those who ride a bicycle–queue “Bicycle” by Queen.
So how far back does the relationship between Tala and the cycling community go? I metaphorically sat down and chatted with three of Tala’s co-owners: Stefan Tong (insert job title), Keith Lilja, Head Roaster, and Joanna Tong, COO, to gain insight into what fuels the intersection of the specialty coffee and cycling community.
Partly, Tala serves as a prime cycling destination due to the proximity of the three cafés: Highwood, Winnetka, and Libertyville, allowing for a single stop or a customized Tour de Tala design. With the opening of the Winnetka café in 2023, following Highwood’s brick-and-mortar establishment in 2018, and the original roastery expanding into what is now our Libertyville cafe in 2023, we have established ourselves as a cycling destination with multiple locations to choose from.
“Now what’s really cool is they can, kind of like, pick and choose the distance that they want to ride for that day, and then build to whichever cafe they want to go to, like, sort of meet that distance or time,” commented Keith Lilja Head Roaster at Libertyville.
In addition to a unique route with Winnetka and Highwood boasting spacious patios in warmer weather, the cafes offer an al fresco space to congregate and park the bicycles. This space extends to the inviting atmosphere picked up on by co-owner Stefan Tong, “our best experiences are obviously with teams we know and we love.”
But beyond the patience extended by the teams who walk through the café doors to the baristas and cafe attendants, is a sense of gratitude to how the cycling community has contributed to Tala’s growth over the years, being pivotal with the establishment of Highwood in 2018.
“I’m so grateful for the teams and the relationships that we have gotten to meet and gotten to know throughout the years. A lot of our notoriety and how we were able, especially that first year to grow Highwood, was because people who were riding suggested it to other riders and suggested it to their friends, and would show up, you know, even when they weren't riding,” said co-owner Stefan Tong.
The launch of the cycling water bottle serves as a retail launch of the ongoing partnership between Tala Coffee Roasters and the cyclists–one that continues to grow from word of mouth brand ambassadors to the recent partnership with the 606 team.
And for those who are on the go from backpacks to cupholders, the waterbottle easily fits into the daily lives of those who cycle or enjoy Tala Coffee Roasters all the same.
“This bottle is awesome because it really is perfect for cycling, but also for everyday people. I recently used it on my overseas trip because it fits perfectly in the side pocket of the diaper bag, and fit easily into the front pocket in the plane, too. It's great to have on hand for things like that, even if you, like me, aren't often on the bike. I think this bottle celebrates a big niche in our community while also serving anyone else, too,” says COO and co-owner Joanna Tong.
Come join us in the cafes–from Winnetka, to Highwood, and Libertyville–or even create your own Tour de Tala!
Mia Rhee
Mia received a BA from Northwestern University and is a contributor at the Chicago Review of Book: she is a firm believer coffee pairs best with reading.