The Tala Blog

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Behind The Bar With Mike

Our “Behind The Bar'“ series highlights one of our team members, celebrating their unique contribution to the Tala experience. Learn more about what makes each person on the Tala Team unique with this personal interview.

Marissa Cummings Marissa Cummings

Drink & Book Pairings

Spring has officially sprung in the Midwest! While the spring equinox brings about sunnier weather and longer days, it also signals the rotation of our seasonal menu at Tala! There’s no better way to celebrate spring than with a refreshing drink in hand and a great book by your side.

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Rachel Severyns Rachel Severyns

Behind The Bar With Alo

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.

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Rachel Severyns Rachel Severyns

Barista Beats: Cafe Playlists

When you walk into Tala, the first thing you notice is the atmosphere: the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee, the soft hum of conversations, and the comforting hiss of the espresso machine. But there’s another key ingredient to our cafe’s vibe—the music. The playlists you hear are handpicked by our baristas, adding a personal touch to your Tala experience. Ever wonder what they’re queuing up while they’re behind the bar? Let’s dive into our Highwood baristas’ favorite tracks and discover the sounds that fuel their shifts.

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Rachel Severyns Rachel Severyns

Brewing Romance

For Marissa and Zak, coffee isn’t just part of their daily routine; it’s where their love story began. Marissa, a barista at our Libertyville cafe, and Zak, a member of our production team, have spent countless hours together in cafes, both at work and in their free time.

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Community Marissa Cummings Community Marissa Cummings

Tala To-Go: Hot Drinks and Local Finds

Libertyville is full of so many cool things to explore! But first—arguably the most important stop—a warm drink from Tala on this chilly day. We picked up hot chocolates, the perfect treat to sip while strolling through Libertyville.

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Community Mel Kreppin Community Mel Kreppin

a very happy talaween

On October 3rd, we brought the spooky vibes to our Highwood café with our annual staff Halloween party! What better way to kick off the Halloween week than with a little recap of all the fun?

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Community, Behind the Bar Lex Miller Community, Behind the Bar Lex Miller

Behind the Bar with Grace

Grace joined the Tala crew in the summer of 2023 and, as of this month, is now the new manager of the Highwood location. All the way from Hartford, Wisconsin, Grace made the big move to Illinois to study international relations and environmental studies. You’ve probably seen her in the cafe with a big warm smile on her face. You can come see her at Tala most days of the week!

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News, Community Tala Coffee Roasters News, Community Tala Coffee Roasters

Winnetka Cafe Grand Opening

We are so incredibly blessed by the community that has supported us since opening our doors in late November. Since then, we have been welcomed to the neighborhood with open arms, and have been so grateful to see the way the community has already taken to our new little corner of the Indian Hill district.

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Community Haley Horvat Community Haley Horvat

In Celebration of Mom

From our biological moms, to the role models and women that have built a motherly bond with us over time, we are so thankful for each and every one of you. You have brought comfort, advice, kindness, gentleness, love, and unending support into our lives. You show us how to keep going and what matters most in life. As a way to say thank you to our moms and the women who show us what being motherly means, the Tala staff has written up a quick list of our favorite things about mom.

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Favorite Memories, Community Tala Coffee Roasters Favorite Memories, Community Tala Coffee Roasters

Favorite Memory Winners

We heard so many amazing stories from people's experiences at Tala this week. In fact, we had way more submissions than we were prepared for, so it has taken several extra days to sort through it all. Thank you to everyone who shared their memories and thoughts about our cafe. We are so honored by the community and stories you’ve provided! We’ve chosen the top five memories, and randomly picked the winner of the $200 giveaway. Read all five stories below and see who is the lucky grand prize winner.

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Favorite Memories, Community Tala Coffee Roasters Favorite Memories, Community Tala Coffee Roasters

Favorite Memory: The Meeting

We’ve made it to the end, folks. End of the week, last look back on year two before we shove all nostalgia down and stuff it into the vault until next August. I won’t have as colorful storytelling as Matt, as eloquent language as Conner, or as sentimental, tear-jerking material as Marcus, but what I can do is ramble on aimlessly for awhile like I normally do. You should all be used to that by now.

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Favorite Memories, Community Tala Coffee Roasters Favorite Memories, Community Tala Coffee Roasters

Favorite Memory: Ride to Work

I started at Tala in the midst of the pandemic, where many of us have been able to pursue new hobbies, interests, and curiosities. My goal throughout the more at-home time during quarantine was to spend more time with my family. I haven’t lived at home for many years, and this was a perfect opportunity to spend time with my loved ones.

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Favorite Memories, Community Tala Coffee Roasters Favorite Memories, Community Tala Coffee Roasters

Favorite Memory: A Fruitful Year

Regardless of where you are in life or what you're going through, life has a funny way of bringing you joy. In my case, everything began changing for the better when I came to Tala. I was brought on board to the team the day before the cafe's first birthday last year. And let me tell you, so much has happened that this past year has felt like three.

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