By Sydney Williams
Owner of Cuppa Tahoe Sandra Santané and her knowledgeable and capable staff. In 2020 owner Sandra was hospitalized after contracting COVID-19 and spent more than 2 months away from the business while in recovery. The culture of feeling that Sandra sought to create with her store continued to come to fruition in her absence as her staff stepped up to the challenge of keeping the Cuppa Tahoe doors open with their fearless leader still in recovery. Upon her return, Sandra was delighted to see the top tier customer service her staff brought to their work at Cuppa Tahoe.
The California side of South Lake Tahoe is plump with local businesses and a close knit community network behind them. As a year-round major tourist destination, South Lake Tahoe has new businesses opening their expectant doors as often as the snow falls during the winter. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen countless businesses fall under the economic avalanche brought on by statewide stay-at-home orders. However, owner Sandra Santané opened Cuppa Tahoe 10 months ago, and from the looks of it, is here to stay.
Cuppa Tahoe “Read Me” section. The store has socially distanced seating for individuals and small groups.
Cuppa Tahoe is a bookstore, casual co-working space, and conference room with a coffee and tea bar that serves delicious locally-made snacks and desserts for sit-in and take-out. When you walk through the front door of Cuppa Tahoe, you can see, hear, smell, and feel its welcoming charm. With socially-distanced sitting areas, this homey bookstore is a place for people to connect with books and with one another. Whether it be a kid and their mother reading a new storybook in the hidden hangout between the bookshelves, or a bookworm diving into the “Read Me” section, sipping an Earl Grey tea on the vintage green couch as the fire flickers beside them, there is a cozy place for different tastes in Cuppa Tahoe’s inspired free seating sections.
Casual Co-Working space at Cuppa Tahoe. Features a living wall, open-seating, and private call boxes for just $3 per hour.
Not only is Cuppa Tahoe a destination for great reads and delightful refreshments, but their casual co-working space is certainly something to write home about. Sandra was inspired to create this co-working atmosphere because, “I saw people that work from home, they get cabin fever, and if they have a very important conference call, they will do it at home in their perfect home set up. But at some point, they want to be among other people. They would usually go to a cafe, which doesn't quite meet up to their needs...and where the people running the shop are usually not very happy about someone sitting there with one coffee for 3 hours.” What Cuppa Tahoe has that other cafés and work spaces do not, is a mix of most everything someone could need to get their work done away from home. With a living wall, conference tables, and private call boxes, Cuppa Tahoe is the perfect work-day get away. Although their co-working space is temporarily closed due to COVID-19 purple level county closures, it is waiting at the ready to re-open as soon as permitted. With so many people working from home during the pandemic, South Lake Tahoe residents are eager to return to this bright and refreshing workspace for a change of scenery.
Cuppa Tahoe wholesomely embraces its role in the tight-knit South Lake Tahoe community and has been working to support its local women-owned businesses since its opening in May 2020. Within the first six months of opening her store, Sandra teamed up with her fellow South Lake Tahoe female entrepreneurs to host a retail bingo. This event was planned to celebrate National Women’s Small Business Month, while highlighting women-owned businesses in the community. The retail bingo was a month-long event where shoppers could pick up a bingo card at any of the participating businesses and receive a stamp from each of the stores after making a purchase of $25 or more. The goal was to visit, shop at, and receive a stamp from every participating business in the event. The first contestant to fill their entire bingo card received a $50 gift card from each participating business and second place won $25 gift cards from each.
With an intriguing collection of literature and fun knick-knacks for children and adults of all ages, Tahoe locals and passers-by had no trouble finding more than their fair share of irresistible gadgets of all kinds at Cuppa Tahoe during the retail bingo event. To keep up with rising demand, they have opened an online store for select products. If you’ve ever wanted to visit South Lake Tahoe, now is the time to place an order and come explore the beautiful scenery of Lake Tahoe while you pick up your Cuppa Tahoe souvenirs (shipping is not yet available). Here are some of their best-selling products.
Featured Products
A Paper Time Capsule - $14.95
LETTERS TO MY BABY. Write Now. Read Later. Treasure Forever.
análú Peppermint Therapy Dough - $14.95
análú is made with organic and natural ingredients.
Green Zaurus - $14.95
These colorful and cute dino characters have tongues that lap up water and feed the precious plants on their backs. Each comes with peat pack, seeds, tray, and instructions.
Funny Greeting Card - $4.95
Love is like a fart. If you have to force it, it is probably shit.
Books and Tea Pin - $10
The pin is soft enamel (meaning the metal parts are raised a bit above the enamel). The metal is a rose gold color, and the enamel is white. Rubber clasp.
Modern Script Fountain Pens - $14.95
Write elegant prose, creative ideas, or simply the day’s events in fine style with this fountain pen writing set.
Slim Velvet Journal - $23.95
Sumptuous and luxurious, this slim, mid-sized journal features an abstract pattern, complete with metallic foil.
Prickly Pals Cactus Erasers - $4.95
These Prickly Pal Cactus Erasers will get you out of any sticky writing situation! Rid your work of mistakenly-made pencil marks on the spot with this amazing set of three potted cacti.
Lovin Tahoe Bookmark - $4.00
A classic South Lake Tahoe souvenir
Prices subject to change.