frequently asked questions

Tala is a name found in many languages and cultures, and its meaning ranges from "heavenly palm tree" (Arabic) to "gold" (Persian) to "Wolf Princess" (Navajo) to "stories" (Samoan) and many things besides. A common strain through the various meanings is the connotation of beauty, strength, and sweetness. This shared name throughout different cultures reminds us of the sweet and beautiful experience of coffee, especially as it connects people across the many spectrums of life. Just as the name "Tala" doesn't belong to one language, coffee does not belong to one group of people, and as such we believe coffee should be approachable to everyone.

We have a Wholesale Partner Program that is tiered to fit organizations of all shapes and sizes. Learn more at our Partner Program Inquiry page.

We are always accepting applications. Even if we aren't currently hiring, we will review previous applications when we are. Read about open positions and apply on our Jobs page.

We have one of the most versatile subscriptions on the market: Coffee Club. This unique subscription service allows you to choose your frequency, size, and type of coffee because one size truly doesn't fit all, but good coffee sure does! You will never have to worry about running out of coffee again. Love coffee? Join the club.

We rent our cafe space after hours for private events. We also try to periodically host community events. You can inquire about both at our events page.

Unused, unworn merchandise can be returned or exchanged in-store or by emailing orders@talacoffee.com

We roast specifically to bring out the sweetest flavors in our coffees. So many people assume that coffee is inherently bitter, and we love to watch as those people experience coffee that is sweet and delicious all by itself.

Single origin coffee is harvested from only one region. This is contrasted with blends, which are a combination of two or more different regions to make a certain flavor. Drinking single origin coffee is exciting because you taste the flavor of one region specifically; and because coffee is seasonal, you may never taste that exact flavor again!

Although most of our coffee is roasted to a light or medium profile, our Danger Zone is dangerously close to being a dark roast. This roast-forward coffee still preserves the natural sweetness and flavor of our coffees you love.

Not all of our coffess are certified fair trade or organic. We work with high-quality importers who have very high standards for fair wages and working conditions as well as healthy farming practices, but our importers do not require farms to obtain certifications as it can be an unrealistic and expensive burden for them to bear, especially with smaller operations and ongoing payment requirements by third-party certifications.

We always make sure to have a great decaf coffee option available on our shelves and online. Our decaf offerings are always chemical-free processes that taste legitimately great. You can purchase decaf online or in-store.

All three of our cafes are open 7am-6pm daily.

Sadly, nowhere! There was never a pole in the Highwood Fire Station, even while it was running. There are, however, cool remnants of the old station throughout the building. In the bathroom hallway, for instance, the old ladder is hung on the ceiling!

Sadly, we cannot allow pets inside our cafes due to health code violations. Service animals are always welcome.

We have recently launched a small breakfast and lunch menu available only at our Winnetka Cafe.

All of our cafes also have donuts, muffins, oatmeal, and other grab-n-go items.