A new coffee house is muscling its way into local hearts. ‘Shut up and drink more coffee!’ reads the frequent flier card at Truckee’s new coffee house, Tuff Beanz. I do mean ‘frequent flier’ because their brew gets one going. The last time I jabbered about java I focused on Coffee Connexion, the roastery that supplies Tuff Beanz with its organic, fair trade coffee. I’m going to plug them again, because they are so darn neighborly and helpful. Dave Kellenberger, owner of Coffee Connexion, has been instrumental in getting Truckee’s new coffee joint going, said Tuff Beanz owner ‘Mick’ Daly. ‘I probably wouldn’t even have done this without him. He’s been absolutely phenomenal helping with equipment and training my people.’
Although he’s new to the coffee business, Mick has a clear idea of what he wants Tuff Beanz to be, and sees empty niches he is eager to fill. He envisions Tuff Beanz as a comfortable neighborhood coffee house where locals come together to connect with each other. He knows how to treat his neighbors, and begins with treating us to reasonable prices. There aren’t many places in the area where you can get a good 12-ounce cup of ‘joe’ for $1.50. One man suggested that they could easily raise the price of each item on the menu by a quarter. That is one suggestion Mick will not be taking.
In one corner of the newly remodeled space (the former Martis Valley Movie Theater), Mick has provided a play area with toys so parents can relax and enjoy some adult conversation while their children entertain themselves. Batteries have been removed from the most obnoxious noisemakers. (My son, however, managed to create quite a din with his own battery power on a xylophone that a well-intentioned neighbor contributed to the toy box.) A mom’s group is taking advantage of Mick’s hospitality and meeting regularly at Tuff Beanz. I remember how important my local café was to me when I was a new mother, venturing out into the world with my baby. I was able to connect with other mothers who were struggling with the same issues I was. (Getting out of the house, dressing in something other than sweatpants and completing errands with an infant.) We commiserated and shared our resources. We formed a support system and a community. My son made his first friends.
Mick has succeeded in creating the ‘all-around atmosphere’ to which he aspired for the setting. The space is lofty and cheerful, cozy and hip. The furniture is inviting and the finishes are user-friendly. Be sure to check out the super cool, utilitarian flooring – Mick wants people to be comfortable walking in with snow on their boots. A flat-screen TV high in one corner and free Wi-Fi keep customers in the communication loop. A fireplace provides a cozy focal point to gather around during long winter months. Soaring walls also provide excellent gallery space where local artists are eager to exhibit their work. Photographer Court Leve is the current featured artist.
The name Tuff Beanz rolled around Mick’s head for a while as he worked to open the doors and ‘exemplifies how things were going’ at the time. Mick’s wife passed away in 2003 and he found himself parenting two very young boys alone. Born and raised in Ohio, Mick retired from the Dayton police force and moved out to Truckee to get a new start. He and his boys, now four and six, really like the area. When they’re not behind the coffee bar, they’re out and about, active in the Truckee community. (I bump into them everywhere.) I asked Mick if his boys like their new venture and Mick proudly responded, ‘they are determined to be the employees of the month.’
A sign in his door says ‘Yep’ when they’re open and ‘Nope’ when they’re closed. Mick’s intention was to stay open late to provide a place to hang out at night where the focus wasn’t on drinking alcohol, but it seems we Truckeeites need to spend every possible moment outdoors (you thought I was going to say ‘drinking alcohol,’ didn’t you?) while the evenings are long and warm. So, for the time being, Tuff Beanz hours are 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. We’ll snuggle up by the fire when the snow falls.
Tuff Beanz has a case of breakfast munchies and will soon be serving grilled panini sandwiches.
10015 Palisades Drive, Suite A3, Truckee.
