When I was at Maker Faire this year I got placed in the steampunk area (for reasons I cannot fathom) and I ended up meeting another steampunker that went by “Psychokat“. He was fascinated by a certain device that I was displaying there because his wife is starting a kink boutique/café right in the heart of the leather area in SOMA and thought it would be a perfect fit for what they’re trying to accomplish with the business.
Naturally I said yes to this since I had the idea that I would like to display the steamvibe somewhere where people besides the creator could see it but I was not sure where I would do so. Perfect opportunity I thought even though its not for sale. The idea sounded interesting enough that I was also happy to lend some of the publicity the steamvibe has gained to a new business that was just starting up, especially something that sounded as cool as Wicked Grounds did.
Wicked Grounds had put out calls to volunteers regularly since before I moved to just a few blocks away but my schedule did not permit me to come despite living so close until earlier this Sunday. I didn’t waste much time when I arrived and being the tech minded person that I am, I went to work getting the wireless just how it needed to be and started setting up a touchscreen point of sale system that would be used for behind the counter. The tech stuff to do is limited given its well, a coffee shop, though I will start helping out with other setup things once those systems are complete.
I got a chance to (re)meet the owner whom I have seen before but was just about one social circle away from mine so I did not get a chance to interact much before. She is an absolutely lovely woman to talk to and work with and I think she has a solid vision for this place that will help it succeed. The building itself used to be a gay (leather?) bar called “Hole In the Wall” before it got closed down some time ago. The building is a few times longer than it is wide which would normally be an odd setup for a café though since it is going to be split into sections for the boutique that will be a part of it the layout makes a lot more sense.
Many volunteers were hard to work today helping with general setup, doing everything from installing doors to making the barista area more people friendly to creating a room for the hot water heater. Given the support that is already pouring into it I am confident that it will open very soon and will start becoming one of the places to go when you find yourself in the leather district, especially since they plan on being open late on the weekend. Need a snack after an exhausting night dancing at the Cat Club or absolutely need a specialised piece of kinky equipment that you can’t find anywhere else in any other brick and mortar store? There will be somewhere to go for all of that and more very very soon.
As one can probably tell, I am very exited about its opening, partially because it is really close to my house, partially that an invention I am very proud to have made will be displayed there and also partially that I think it has the opportunity to create a really unique niche that no other place can match around here. For one there’s no kinky themed cafés in the Bay Area and none that have as many unique equipment made by true artisans all under one roof.
Check the Wicked Grounds website for more information about what their plan is as well as some of the nourishments they will be providing there once they open. Their Twitter stream is fairly active and is what to watch if you feel the desire to volunteer (and you should if you have the chance). Expect an announcement very soon about the opening date and please stop by once the doors are open to the public!
