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Fresno Flavor After Hours: Detention Billiards/Fresno’s Speakeasy

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FresYes Writing Team
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And we’re back!

I’m so excited to introduce you guys to a new season of Fresno Flavor. For the next season, I’ll be focusing on nightlife in Fresno—places you visit when the sun goes down.

For this first episode, I’m hitting up Detention Billiards in the Tower District. Long time residents will remember this location as first a bank, then Blockbuster Video. These days, it houses a pool hall, shuffleboard, a full bar, and … a giant secret.

I met with owner Tim Ferrigan to find out what’s hiding in the halls of Detention.

And now you know one of Fresno’s biggest secrets! I highly recommend you make a reservation in this secret spot as soon as you can and remember: mum’s the word …

detention billiards

Where to find Detention Billiards

Location: 750 E. Olive Ave, Fresno CA 93728
Phone: (559) 231-0968
Website: thelibraryatdetention.com

…

Thanks to Tim Ferrigan at Detention for taking the time to speak with us, and to H Steele for his amazing video work!

Tower Yoga is about balance, flexibility, and community

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Craig Scharton
I’m a weirdo. I’m a downtown revitalization, old neighborhood, old houses weirdo.
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Jameson Henkle, Kellee Williams, and Jas Singh have opened  Tower Yoga, a really great new yoga studio, in Fresno’s Tower District. The studio is on Wishon Ave., just north of the Tower Theatre, and is in the same building as Goldstein’s Mortuary and Delicatessen. 

To make sure I was thoroughly vetting this place for you, the FresYes reader, I recently attended three different types of classes with three separate instructors. I did a slow class with Jameson, then a Buti Yoga class with Jazmen Moore, then a 5:30 a.m. Sunrise Hot Yoga with Kellee.
 
The class with Jameson was interesting because my lower back was really sore and tight when I showed up. I was considering backing out because of it. But when I walked in, Jameson said, “We’re going to do a relaxing gentle yoga today to loosen our back muscles.” So, since he could apparently read my mind, I stayed and took the class. And it felt wonderful. Afterward, Jameson and I headed across Wishon to Hi-Top Coffee for coffee and avocado toast and to talk about the studio.
Tower Yoga

Jameson Henkle waits for me at the entrance to Tower Yoga, which is in the back of the building

 
The second class was really fun, although I’m pretty sure I’m not its target audience. If there had been a camera on me, it would’ve scored a huge number of views for my comedic performance. This was the Buti Yoga class, which is a very rhythmic, gyrate-your-hips-a-lot tribal dance and yoga combo class. I estimate that I smiled 80% of the time and only grimaced about 20%. My daughter-in-law Amanda really enjoys this class and it cracked her up just to know I tried it.
 
The third class is really the standard for this studio—hot yoga. According to an “ask the expert” article in the New York Times, hot yoga increases flexibility, you can bend much deeper, and you are much more aware of your breathing. Research says it improves balance, body strength, and range of motion, and might even improve arterial stiffness. Kellee, the instructor for this class, was also a great teacher.  
 
So what makes this yoga studio special? I really like any business or place that really embraces its community, and you can really feel the earnest love for building community when you walk in the door. The staff is very diverse and the community of students and practitioners was very diverse. This is important for something like yoga, which really had no commercial goal initially but has morphed into almost a country club atmosphere in many places, especially in the major metro cities. Tower Yoga feels like a place for young, old, rich, poor, expert or beginner.
 
Tower Yoga

The teaching staff at Tower Yoga

 
The best way to connect with Tower Yoga is through their app, which is available for iOS devices. It has their most up-to-date class schedule and you can sign up here. They also have a website and are on social media. Tower Yoga offers one week for free, so that you can give it a try. They also have community classes which are very inexpensive, in order to make sure this practice is available to everyone.
 
As for the physical space itself, it is still being built out but everything that’s been done so far looks great, very sleek and clean. They have bathrooms with showers in case you need to clean up before heading to work. Get there early for your first class to sign in and find the parking lot. The entrance is from the back, so it may be a little confusing the first time, but after that it’s really easy.
 
I plan on continuing. I’m only 57 but I know I need to be much more flexible and I want to keep my balance over the next part of life. Plus, it’s really fun even though it doesn’t come naturally to me. Give these folks a try. I love what they’re doing and they deserve our support and good wishes for their new business.

Visit these local coffee spots in Fresno and Clovis

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FresYes Writing Team
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Don’t want to hit up that chain coffee spot? No problem! The Fresno and Clovis area has more than enough local coffee spots to suit your needs wherever you are in town.

If you see something I’ve missed, let me know and I’ll add it to the list.

Tower District

local coffee spots

Revue in the Tower District [photo: Natali Carrera]

Revue
620 E. Olive Ave, Fresno, CA 93728
M-Sat 7a-9p, Sun 8a-8p
Read more 

Hi-Top Coffee
1306 N. Wishon Ave, Fresno, CA 93728
M-F 7a-8p, Sat-Sun 8a-8p
Read more

Kuppa Joy
1900 N. Echo Ave, Fresno, CA 93704
M-Sat 7a-9p
Read more

Café Van Ness
3204 N Van Ness Blvd, Fresno, CA 93704 (at Gazebo Gardens Nursery)
M-F 7a-2p, Sat-Sun 8a-2p
Read more

Downtown Fresno

local coffee spots

Fulton Street Coffee co-founder, Octavio Vargas, and manager, Elizabeth Moreno [photo: Natali Carrera]

8th Notch Coffee & Gifts
744 P St. #102, Fresno, CA 93721
M-F 7a-4p, Sat 9a-1p
Read more

Fulton Street Coffee
2011 Tuolumne St, Fresno, CA 93721
M-F 8a-5p
Read more

Cornerstone Coffee
1463 Fulton St, Fresno, CA 93721
M-F 7a-5p, Sun 7a-1p
Read more 

USBean Brew Station
700 Van Ness Ave. (at Bitwise South Stadium)
M-Th 8a-7:30p, Fri 8a-5p
Read more

Central Fresno

Collect Coffee 
3142 E. Campus Pointe Dr, Fresno, 93710
M-F 7a-8p, Sat 9a-9p, Sun 10a-6p
Read more

North Fresno

local coffee spots

Yellow Mug employees dressed as Luke from “Gilmore Girls” during a special event [photo: Joanne Lui]

Yellow Mug Coffee
1137 E. Champlain, Fresno, 93720
M-Sat 6a-6p, Sun 6a-7p 
Read more

Clovis

Kuppa Joy
518 Clovis Ave, Clovis, CA 93612
M-Sat 7a-9p
Read more

Two Cities Coffee Roasters
608 4th St, Clovis, CA 93612
M-F 6a-10p, Sat 7a-10p
Read more

On The Edge Coffeehouse
412 Pollasky Ave, Clovis, CA 93612
M-W 6:30a-5p, Th 6:30a-9p, Fr-Sat 8a-10p, Sun 8a-5p
Read more

Brew Your Own

Lanna Coffee Co.
617 Broadway St, Fresno, California 93721
M-F 8:30a-4p
Read more

Tower’s new Bocca Taqueria satisfies your cravings for flavorful tacos

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Natali Carrera
Natali Carrera is a devoted coffee addict who also loves her twelve-year-old son, husband of 17 years and bargain hunting at Target. She works in the field of education and is also a freelance writer and YouTube vlogger (as a hobby). She's been told "bubbly" is the best descriptor of her personality, though she wonders if what people really mean is that she talks too much. Natali is a lifelong Fresno resident and Fresno State grad.
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Living in the Taco Capital, Fresnans are lucky to have tacos available on numerous street corners throughout the city. Sometimes, however, you want to go out for tacos and have a place to sit and relax while you eat, as well as a wide variety of meat and filling options to choose from—like those you enjoy from your favorite taco truck.

Bocca Taqueria, a newly opened Tower District restaurant, satisfies both of those needs!

Bocca Taqueria

Bocca Taqueria is located on E. Olive in the Tower District

Menu options are plentiful

Bocca Taqueria is located at 568 E. Olive Avenue in the former Castillo’s location. Their menu offers a whopping 16 different meat choices for taco lovers to enjoy. From popular favorites like asada and al pastor, to less common, specialty choices like suadero (aka “rose meat,” a flavorful cut of beef neck) and cachete (beef cheek), there are options for all.

Bocca offers waited service in two dining areas with updated, modern décor. The environment is casual and family friendly. 

Bocca Taqueria

Bocca offers a variety of meats for taco lovers to enjoy (pictured clockwise from top: asada, saudero, al pastor)

Bocca Taqueria

Bocca’s interior is updated and inviting

Bocca Taqueria

Bocca’s taco selfie wall is ‘Gram-worthy on purpose

Menu highlights

My husband and I recently visited Bocca for the first time, and really enjoyed the food and experience. Here are some of the highlights from our visit:

  • Salsa Flights for $3.99. You can try six different types of super flavorful and fresh, house-made salsa. On the day we went, we were served pineapple habanero, fresh red tomato, crushed peanut, molcajete, green tomatillo, and pumpkin seed salsa. Every single one of them was good; however, I enjoyed the molcajete best and my husband loved the peanut salsa. Chip refills were provided at no additional cost.
Bocca Taqueria

Bocca’s salsa flight and chips

  • Mulitas, a cross between a street taco and a cheese quesadilla. These tasty, melty stacks of deliciousness are available with al pastor (pork), chuleta (pork chop), bistec (steak), ribeye, arrachera (skirt steak) or pollo (chicken). I had an arrachera mulita and have been craving another since the moment I finished eating it.
Bocca Taqueria

My skirt steak mulita (on the left)

  • Choriqueso, another hybrid dish, is a hearty appetizer featuring melted cheese and crumbled chorizo, and is served with corn or flour tortillas.
  • Pricing. All menu prices are fairly reasonable, especially given the quality and selection of ingredients. Depending on how hungry you are, you’ll likely want to piece together 2-4 items to create a full meal, but at $2.75-$4 a pop, the total cost is very inline with, if not slightly below, most casual, sit-down restaurants.
Bocca Taqueria

Bocca’s current menu

Where to find Bocca Taqueria

Though it’s been open just over a month, Bocca has already garnered a solid 4-star average on Yelp and 4.4 star average on Facebook. Reviewers point out how much they enjoyed the multitude of salsa and meat choices, and how good the asada and ribeye are.

If you’re looking for some tasty tacos in a pleasant, sit-down atmosphere and friendly customer service, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with Bocca Taqueria. I recommend putting them on your “to try” list and visiting soon!

Bocca Taqueria

568 E. Olive Ave.
Fresno, CA 93728
(559) 374-5100

Hours: Closed Sun and Mon. Open Tues-Sat 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Find them on Facebook here

The Revue celebrates one-year anniversary with new mural

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Natali Carrera
Natali Carrera is a devoted coffee addict who also loves her twelve-year-old son, husband of 17 years and bargain hunting at Target. She works in the field of education and is also a freelance writer and YouTube vlogger (as a hobby). She's been told "bubbly" is the best descriptor of her personality, though she wonders if what people really mean is that she talks too much. Natali is a lifelong Fresno resident and Fresno State grad.
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Locally owned and operated coffee house, The Revue, located at 620 E. Olive in the heart of Fresno’s Tower District, will be celebrating its one-year anniversary this Saturday, Aug. 25, with a special celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

I caught up with one of their awesome owners, Bryan Feil, to learn more about the event and what’s new at Revue. A lot has changed in just a year!

Revue one year anniversary

FresYes: Tell us what you love about your location and about having been a part of the Tower community for the last year.

The Revue: We honestly just love engaging and connecting with our community through coffee and delicious products. Having the ability to offer products that are locally sourced and thoughtfully prepared is what gets us excited.

When you opened, you offered something no other local coffeehouse could—Ampersand ice cream! Since then, you’ve added new and unique offerings to your menu. Tell us about what’s new.

We have seasonal menu changes which bring about great excitement, from our soda offerings to house-made syrups or the crowd favorite, our Horchatte (a cinnamon-infused horchata-inspired latte). It’s been fun to keep people fueled with products that are unique to the Central Valley.

It seems like your back room has been hopping with cool, community events lately! Tell us a little about that.

Our desire to connect the community through beverages is exciting but, just as much, are the events that bring everyone together. We do Vendor Fairs every two months which showcase craft makers from around the valley.

We have partnered with Tower Yoga to do a Sunday Yoga Reads session and incredible weekly yoga events that bring health and connectivity together. We also offer kombucha workshops, coffee cuppings, open mic nights (every Monday night), and other regular music events.

It’s also been an event space community members can rent for their own events, which is another neat community engagement opportunity for us.

Revue one year anniversary

Cozy interior invites you to pull up a seat

Revue one year anniversary

The Revue’s back room is home to yoga, music, and more!

You guys recently commissioned an awesome mural for the side of your building, can you tell us more about it?

It was created by two incredible artists, Quinn Bowman and Julia Woli Scott, who have really pulled out all the stops to put together this 90-foot, five panel mural that is incredible, beautiful, and unique. We are doing a celebration of this on Aug. 25 as well.

What else would you like readers to know about your upcoming event or The Revue in general?

Come on the 25th ready to celebrate our community and great beverages, and enjoy a unique, one-time opportunity to enjoy a “steal the glass” nitro float drink. We are so thankful for our city and the Tower for allowing us to serve this year, and hope to continue bringing our best daily. If you haven’t had the opportunity to come down, please come and visit with us and the community this Saturday, it will be fun!

Revue one year anniversary

Come see The Revue’s wall mural at their anniversary party this weekend!

Tower District Records presents Don’t Let the Door Hit You Music Festival

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Jol Devitro
Jol Devitro is a writer, actor, and artist who’s recently returned to Fresno after 25 years of adventuring out of the valley. He’s excited to be rediscovering his hometown, exploring and highlighting the cultural diversity that makes Fresno such a vibrant, unique melting pot.
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When Tower District Records proprietor Bob Lambert found out that four-piece pop outfit SpyGenius was coming to Fresno from Canterbury, U.K., he decided to make a party of it. Bringing SpyGenius’s local friends Blake Jones & The Trike Shop on board, Bob invited other regional power-pop bands to join the bill. Before long, he had more talent than a single weekend could contain, and since he was already planning to host ArtHop on Thursday, he decided to create a five-day festival.

And so this Wednesday, Aug. 1, the inaugural Don’t Let the Door Hit You Music Festival will launch at 6 p.m. and run through the weekend. The free, all-ages event will feature live performances from Fresno bands Sci-fi Caper, Jeff Bowman (whose Thursday performance coincides with ArtHop), Style Like Revelators, Victor Sotelo, and—perfect for Sunday morning—Ray Moore & Keysha Burns Isler Inspirational Gospel Music.

Other acts hail from Seattle (Flying Fish Cove), Los Angeles (Vanessa Silberman), Sacramento (Fifty Watt Heavy), San Diego (Rockford), Kingsburg (Blake Jones & The Trike Shop), Atascadero (Dave, Brian & The Forty Hour Work Week), Burbank (The Armoires), and San Francisco (The Bobbleheads).

Don't let the door hit you

The third time’s a charm for Tower District Records, newly relocated on Echo across from Fresno High.

Location attracts a new generation of vinyl lovers

While this isn’t the first show to rock the stage of Tower District Records, it’s decidedly the most epic event held since the store moved to its new location last October. The current spot, on Echo Ave. across from Fresno High, is the third incarnation of the shop, which has been operating in town for about four years. “It’s been great over here so far. We do a lot of live music,” says manager Nick Navarro, who’s been working for Bob since the birth of Tower District Records at its original location, a tiny spot on Olive next to The Stuffed Pipe that quickly outgrew its space. Specializing in used records, the shop stocks a dizzying selection of classic rock, R&B, jazz, country, and blues.

Sitting right across the street from Fresno’s namesake high school, the shop seems perfectly positioned to indoctrinate a new generation of young people into the hallowed tradition of vinyl.

And the timing couldn’t be better. As impersonal digital downloads have become the music industry’s standard, millennials are discovering and falling for the warm, fuzzy intimacy of the vinyl records beloved by their parents and grandparents. Specifically, the incomparable sound, as well as the hands-on experience of flipping through stacks of records and getting grabbed by big, bold, frame-worthy album covers that catch the eye and move the heart more than an itunes thumbnail ever could. Consider the Rolling Stones’ 1971 “Sticky Fingers” album, whose cover—conceived by Andy Warhol—features a working zipper, or 1972’s “The Four Sides of Melanie,” whose psychedelic colors and design evoke another world. Happening upon artifacts like these can provide the sort of visceral thrill usually reserved for the likes of Indiana Jones.

don't let the door hit you

The interior of Tower District Records is like a candy shop for kids (and their grandparents and parents) who love vinyl.

Don't let the door hit you

Delve into music history at this clean, well-lit spot for records

don't let the door hit you

Tower District Records represent!

Shop holds more than records

Tower District Records not only affords patrons the increasingly rare opportunity to buy, sell, listen to, and look at records, it’s also a full-service shop for a total retro makeover. In the front room, Lawrence Cervantes’s Boomerang Vintage Audio buys, sells, trades, and repairs vintage stereo equipment. Turntables, speakers, and stereo receivers abound here, and Lawrence is on hand most of the time to field inquiries.

A little deeper into the shop, you’ll come to Belinda Enriquez’s nail salon setup. She’s also in the store most of the time, but you can book an appointment with her at beldoesnails.com. And to complete your new, vinyl-friendly style, you can check out the racks of vintage clothes and thrift-store treasures from Bad Kids Club. “A lot of the high school kids are super into that stuff,” says Nick, who, when he’s not at work, can be seen and heard playing with Style Like Revelators, which is set to perform at the shop on Friday night.

To the back of the store, you’ll notice an intriguing room filled to the ceiling with albums. This is where the shop’s new inventory and back-stock is housed, and where records are cleaned and flattened. On the wall nearby is a small shelf devoted to cassettes. And there’s even a self-serve tea station with complimentary tea, demonstrating the establishment’s willingness to let patrons hang out, explore, and steep in the ambience. On the back wall of the shop, a freshly painted mural flanks the stage where performers in this week’s festival will set up and play.

don't let the door hit you

Are these the droids you’re looking for? Lawrence Cervantes’s Boomerang Vintage Audio occupies the front room of Tower District Records.

don't let the door hit you

Bins of records with the stage in the background

don't let the door hit you

The overstock room, next to a shelf of cassettes.

Festival lineup spans five days 

The Don’t Let the Door Hit You Music Festival kicks off five days of live music on Wednesday, Aug. 1 and runs through the weekend. Free food and drinks will be provided. (And it may be worth noting that the record shop is conveniently located just a few steps from Ampersand, close enough that you can skip out for some ice cream and not risk a meltdown on the way.)

The festival lineup is as follows:

Wednesday, August 1

Sci-Fi Caper at 6 p.m.

Flying Fish Cove at 8 p.m.

Thursday, August 2

Jeff Bowman at 6 p.m.

Friday, August 3

Vanessa Silberman at 6:30 p.m.

Style Like Revelators at 8 p.m.

Fifty Watt Heavy at 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, August 4

Victor Sotelo, 5 p.m.

Rockford at 6:30 p.m.

Blake Jones & The Trike Shop at 8 p.m.

SpyGenius at 9:30 pm

Sunday, August 5

Ray Moore & Keysha Burns Isler Inspirational Gospel Music, 11 a.m.

Dave, Brian & The Forty Hour Work Week at 12:30 p.m.

The Armoires at 2 p.m.

The Bobbleheads at 3:30 p.m.

don't let the door hit you

…

Tower District Records is located at 1930 N. Echo. You can visit its Facebook page here or call (559) 478-4034 for more information.

Want to buy a home in the Tower District? Here’s what you need to know

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FresYes Realty
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Known for its lively arts and entertainment scene, the Tower District is both a historic part of Fresno’s past as well as its thriving present!

Named for the beautiful Tower Theatre, which sees local as well as national acts, this district is where you’ll find cafés, art galleries, vintage shops, and great dining—all within walking distance.

tower district real estate

The Tower Theatre, found at Olive and Wishon avenues, is a main attraction in the heart of this district

About the neighborhood

It’s not unusual to find residents in this neighborhood enjoying an early morning walk to Irene’s Restaurant for breakfast, or biking to the Revue for a Whiskey Caramel Latte and a muffin. Walking one’s dog (or dogs!) down Olive Avenue is a favorite Tower District past-time.

In the evening, you’ll see people heading to Sequoia Brewing Company or Oggi Cosi Si Mangia for dinner, Roger Rocka’s or Second Space Theatre for a performance, and then to Goldstein’s Mortuary and Delicatessen or Strummer’s for a post-show drink. Every year, residents look forward to the Rogue fringe festival in the spring, the Pride Parade in the summer, and Swede Fest in the winter. Independent and foreign films are shown at the Tower Theatre monthly thanks to Fresno Filmworks, and car shows and vintage fairs are held throughout the year.

Those looking to enrich their spiritual lives can find books, crystals, and guidance at The Brass Unicorn. Health foods and supplements can be found at Tower Health & Diet Foods. Piemonte’s is where you can find one of the city’s best sandwiches.

Tower district real estate

The Revue coffee shop hosts local events as well as serving up delicious coffee!

Real estate market in the Tower District

The homes in this area are unique in their charm and personality. Many were built in the early 20th century, so you’ll see features and styles reminiscent of a different era. Built-in shelves, Craftsman-style architecture, and large patios are all very common in the Tower District.

In 2017, 54 single-family homes were sold (per Fresno Multiple Listing Service). The least expensive was $77,000—a two bedroom, one bath home at 963 square feet. The most expensive was $315,000. This was a three bedroom, two bath, 2,127-square-foot home on a 12,750-square-foot lot. 

If you’re looking for a home with a pool, you may want to install your own or head a bit north to the Historic Fresno High area, as only three homes sold in this area had pools.   

Average price per square foot was $130.56 (low $57.67; high $191.30). Average days on the market was 20, with homes selling for 99.13% of asking price.

As of the writing of this article, 26 homes have been sold in 2018. Prices ranged from $100,000 to $325,000, and the average price per square foot was $140.83 (low $80.39; high $198.77). Average days on market is 32 ,with homes selling for 97.65% of asking.
 
tower district real estate

An example of the charm found in Tower District homes

Find a home in the Tower District

To search for a home in this area, visit our Tower District page (link here). Or, feel free to give us a call at (559) 795-7995 or stop by the FresYes office at 7785 N. Palm Ave. #108, Fresno, CA 93711.
 

Learn more about the Tower District

If a robust arts scene and great people-watching is what you’re looking for in a neighborhood, the Tower District may just be the perfect Fresno fit for you.

Get to know the Tower District better by browsing these posts, or check out these featured articles:

  • The 17th annual Rogue Festival starts this week (link here)
  • Tower District’s Hi-Top launches line of branded coffee (link here)
  • Celebrate Fresno Rainbow Pride this weekend in the Tower District (link here)
  • 10 reasons to check out the Tower District’s all-new Revue coffee house (link here)
  • Dapper Stroll & Soiree is your chance to get dolled up for a night on the town (link here)
  • The New Year presents new productions from Good Company Players (link here)

 

Tower District’s Hi-Top launches line of branded coffee

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Natali Carrera
Natali Carrera is a devoted coffee addict who also loves her twelve-year-old son, husband of 17 years and bargain hunting at Target. She works in the field of education and is also a freelance writer and YouTube vlogger (as a hobby). She's been told "bubbly" is the best descriptor of her personality, though she wonders if what people really mean is that she talks too much. Natali is a lifelong Fresno resident and Fresno State grad.
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This month, Hi-Top Coffee in the Tower District officially began selling its own line of coffee featuring beans from Colombia, Rwanda, Ethiopia, and Peru—roasted right here in Fresno. According to Hi-Top’s owners, “The coffee beans have been picked, processed, and shipped from around the world during optimal times, as the seasonality of the product is taken into thoughtful consideration, and the beans are roasted for peak freshness and flavor.”

[Read my post on Hi-Top’s grand opening here.]

hi top branded coffee

Aaron Bagato, co-founder, presents new, locally roasted Hi-Top coffee for purchase

Hi-Top Coffee’s roasting procedures “highlight the complexity of each region, for optimal natural sweetness.” These coffees will be especially intriguing to coffee connoisseurs, as the flavors will expand beyond typical roast varieties like light, medium, and dark, offering more nuances in flavor. However, they will also aim to be approachable and enjoyable for all coffee drinkers.

hi top branded coffee

Each Hi-Top Coffee package presents tasting notes

“The way in which we roast the beans is for optimal enjoyment, and the result is coffee that is juicy, bright, and exciting,” says Aaron Bagato, co-owner at Hi-Top Coffee. Just eight months after opening Hi-Top, the team, including Bagato and co-owners Spencer and Karsyn Suvanto, began the local roasting process behind the scenes, and are now proud to bring the final product to market.

Familiar artwork on packaging

Hi-Top Coffee is packaged in compostable bags, and the familiar artwork on the packaging (like that seen adorning the walls of the Hi-Top shop) was designed by local artist Quinn Bowman with help from shop employee Lexie Fabbian.

hi top branded coffee

Hi-Top Coffee is now available for purchase

“This is an important milestone for me personally, as well as for everyone in our shop,” says Bagato, whose work experience includes several specialty coffee establishments both locally and abroad. “This is something we’ve been working towards for a while, and it’s fun for us to be bringing our take on the current coffee scene to the Central Valley.”

The roasted beans are sold in 10 oz bags and range in price from $13 to $17. The coffee can be purchased in the shop at 1306 N. Wishon Ave. in the Tower District, or online. Wholesale purchases are also available. For more information, visit www.hi-topcoffee.com.

All images courtesy Hi-Top Coffee