Store
by Robbie Jackson
So a man opens a coffee shop in the Third Street corridor of the City. An astrologer and DJ walked into his coffee shop, and what did he do? Hired them of course. To the average American that sounds like a crazy combination, but it’s completely on brand for any business based in San Francisco.
In the city, peculiarity is a way of life. Anyone who decides to open up a business in the Bayview area of San Francisco must have foresight and dedication. When Olton decided that he wanted to open Tallio’s, it was to fill a need. Often he found himself having to travel across town just for a good cup of coffee. By the time he would go get the coffee and return back to his side of town the coffee was either gone or cold.
So he decided to trade in his 9-5 for something a bit more 24/7. “The goal is to bring an upscale model to the community. This is our first model. If this is successful, we want to take it to other marginalized and ethnically diverse communities. We don’t have to go downtown or a wealthy neighborhood to get a good cup of coffee. You can get it right here. That is what really drives me.”
Every coffee beverage you see on Tallio’s menu is named after a marginalized community. “The Bayview” is their best seller. A company in Indiana recently purchased 5,000 bags of the coffee beans alone, and Tallio’s presence is international with shipments as far as Taiwan. But what makes Tallio special and unique is the vibes provided when you actually enter the coffeeshop.
Your nose is filled with the aroma of baked goods and espresso. There is a comfy spot to sit and enjoy the workers who are inviting and provide excellent service. What’s even better is that good customer service applies to anyone who who walks in the door. “We don’t turn anyone away. Even if someone who is unhoused comes here, they can get a good cup of coffee. All they need is $1 to pay for the cup, and they won’t just get a drip cup. We treat them as humans, with respect.” says Rensch, and this statement is big.
On Third Street you will find many unhoused San Franciscans. Often they are treated as a problem, not a person. It’s no secret that in order to get respect in any restaurant, you must come clean and well dressed. The staff will take it as a sign that you can afford their service and respect. What Tallio’s provides is affordable respect, which is priceless to someone who is often denied respect simply because of how they look.
Bringing one of life’s small luxuries to the Third Street business corridor is creating more change than you may think. Currently, Olton is trying to work with City officials and other companies to revamp the perception of the area so that it is more than just a corridor. “We just partnered with SF Travel to really start sending people our way. Not just here but the whole Third Street corridor, also known as the cultural district.”
He imagines it to be a tourist destination in a couple years, which would bring much needed job opportunities and revenue to a sometimes forgotten area of a beloved City. Six o’clock every morning, no matter the weather, Olton juggles being a father and business owner. He has made it his mission to bring attention to San Francisco’s cultural district, one cup at a time. What’s the best way to support this movement? Stop by and buy a cup, at 4732 3rd St., San Francisco, CA 94124. A simple act towards radical change.
Robbie Jackson is a graduate of the San Francisco Bay View’s Community Journalism Class, which is funded by the California State Library.
