Readying to open in the next two weeks,
I got a moment with White to get the details on her erudite
intentions for her very naughty cafe:
Violet Blue:
What is the inspiration for Wicked Grounds? Coffee fetishists,
or fetishists who love coffee?
Rose White:
Yes! We'll be selling more than just coffee though: tea
from Red Blossom, fresh smoothies and juices, milkshakes,
freshly baked sweets, salads, and sandwiches. Not to mention
the artisan toys, jewellery, and artwork!
VB: What's
the ethos, or guiding vision behind Wicked Grounds?
RW: When
it comes to our food, drink, and toys, our ethos is to supply
from small, artisan craftspeople who take pride in their
innovative ideas and production quality. Our overall aim
is provide a friendly, welcoming space for the whole kink
community.
VB: In a
city of Ritual Roasters vs. Bluebottle vs.
Epicenter Cafe vs. Philz Coffee, what kind
of coffee will you be serving at Wicked Grounds?
RW: We've
been lucky enough to have been accepted by Ritual. They
have a very similar ethos to us and amazing coffee! Not
only will we be serving espresso drinks, but there will
be a selection of different freshly ground coffees that
we'll serve in individual French presses.
As Wicked Grounds is half owned by an
English gal, we have to mention the Red Blossom tea too!
We'll have about a dozen different teas that customers can
choose from, all served in a gorgeous individual glass teapot
that sits on a porcelain teacup.
VB: What
will the atmosphere be like? And do decaf drinkers get spanked?
Whips if no tips?
RW: More
like 'whip if you tip', as we do want tips after
all! Wicked Grounds will be a cosy, inviting space with
an old-style coffeehouse feel. So much of SOMA is hard and
industrial in style, and we wanted to do something different.
For example, each piece of furniture will have some way
to attach a person to it, as we wouldn't want your submissive
or human pet to run away whilst you're in the bathroom,
now would we?! Not to mention the tabletops that will have
different things on them: a chessboard, a Monopoly board,
and a map of human sexuality, that kind of thing!
VB: Will
you hold events, and if so, what kind? Anything planned
for the opening?
RW: We won't
have live entertainment to start with, but we are planning
on holding a monthly 'bring your human pet night' ('the
only place in San Francisco to get your coffee in a dog
bowl'), fortnightly chair massages, discussion groups, book
signings, and of course, munchies. We will have a back area
that can be curtained off for private or small events.
For our grand opening, we're planning
on just having a big party!
VB: Will
Wicked Grounds be geek-friendly, with lots of outlets for
laptops and free Wi-Fi? Also, any thoughts on why geeks
tend to be kinky and vice-versa?
RW: Yes,
we'll be geek friendly -- we think we'd get tied up and
punished by our friends if we weren't... And it's a good
point that there tends to be an overlap between geeks and
kinksters -- we're not sure we have any explanation,
but it's true for ourselves!
VB: Will
it be an 18+ space, or all-ages coffeehouse?
RW: It'll
be 18+. Since we'll be selling kink/BDSM/erotic toys and
artwork, we'll be limited to adults only. But I think most
would agree that it's appropriate!
VB: When
is the opening?
RW: We're
aiming for (tentatively) August 4, but this is subject to
minor change.
Keep an eye on our Web site at
wickedgrounds.com
or our Twitter at
twitter.com/wickedgrounds
to find out the specific date nearer the time!
Wicked Grounds is located in SOMA:
exact location secured, but TBA prior to opening. Check
the Web site for exact opening date and launch party information.
