Since I was a little girl, stockings have been my favorite part of Christmas. I don’t exactly know why, but something about all the little things all together in one goodie bag feels so extraordinary to me. I know it’s common for stockings to be an after-thought—I've even met people who, to my astonishment, skip them altogether—but I love to fill them thoughtfully as a grand finale to opening presents. Regardless of your typical approach, I am here to share some tips on how to step it up a notch this year, especially if you’re stuffing a stocking for a coffee-lover!

Over the past year, our Winnetka cafe site has undergone a radical transformation visible from the street, but what many may not realize is that the interior work began long before the exterior did, and after many long months, the work is finally done and we are open! Over the past 2.5+ years that we’ve been working on this project, I’ve been asked about the design so many times, especially because it is an old retro gas station. A lot of people have been curious about how we arrived at the aesthetic we have.

The long-awaited holiday season is here, and at Tala we go hard for the holidays… or should I say Tala-days! It has been a hallmark (no pun intended) since the beginning of our company that we celebrate with fun decorations, epic drinks, and an extra measure of holiday spirit. We are blessed all year long to see the connective power of coffee in bringing people together, and this is on display all the more during the holidays. So grab a loved one and meet for for a festive holiday drink at your favorite cafe!

We looked at the broken windows, the piles of rubble, the broken-up concrete, and aged panels and saw what it could be. As we approach our finished product, I have to say that I think we were right. It looks pretty awesome.

This iconic corner building at the intersection of Winnetka Avenue and Green Bay Road will soon be a Tala cafe, and we couldn’t be more excited. Although a very prominent and noticeable plot in the Indian Hills district, this building has been an out-of-place eyesore for many years, as the Village of Winnetka searched for the perfect addition to this neighborhood. We are excited to be breathing new life into this old building and opening our doors to become a hub for connection, community, and, of course, great coffee!

The heat waves are behind us, school is in session and the flannels and beanies are coming out from wherever they’ve been kept all summer long. It’s the season of changing leaves, bonfires, corn mazes, and, of course, fall drinks at Tala! We have some of your favorite drinks returning and one new addition to the lineup, so make sure you stop in and give each a try!

After a long time of dreaming and planning and several months of build-out, we are excited to bring you a cafe in Libertyville! You can find our new cafe in the industrial district tucked behind Liberty Lake. We have quietly roasted in this building for over six years, and are so excited to finally be able to serve our coffee under the same roof as we’ve been operating since the beginning. For us, opening this cafe is like a homecoming.

The twists and turns of this project have significantly impacted the design, so much so that our original plan differs hugely from our final product. As frustrating as limitations can be, I find that sometimes the best creativity comes not from what can be done, but what cannot be. It was precisely the limitations we were met with along the way that brought us to our final design.

It’s always interesting to me how much curiosity people display, how much they want to know and how much they seem to truly care what the future holds for our little company. It is in that spirit of curiosity and care that I was persuaded by inquiring people to give something of a “behind the scenes” look at what this process has been like for us in the form of answering some commonly posed questioned.

The rumors are true—we’re expanding! In fact, we’re working on opening two different cafes soon: one in Winnetka and one in Libertyville.

With the change of each season comes the change in our seasonal drink menu. Designing genuinely delicious seasonal drinks has become a big part of what makes Tala what it is, which is why we’re so excited to share our new lineup each season.

Spring cleaning helps us to reset and creates a fresh new surrounding. This transition runs from our wardrobes, to our home decor, to the appliances we use all winter long. Your coffee equipment is no exception. The more use a coffee mug, maker or grinder gets, the more it will show. The good news is there are steps you can take to make your gear to look all shiny and clean if you know how!