Though Warriors fans may be grappling with their disappointment over Jimmy Butler’s season-ending torn ACL, they can still get a taste of his presence in the city.
The star forward’s coffee pop-up, Bigface, is coming back to the Mission for another stint at the corner of Valencia and 22nd streets. The cafe, opening Thursday, will be in the Corner Store retail space operated by Square. The payments processor just renewed its lease for a second year in the building, the former home of Lucca Ravioli, which closed in 2019.
Butler, an avowed coffee fanatic, hopes to find a permanent location for his pop-up once the Square partnership ends. “It’s a chance for us to learn from the city as we think about what a longer-term Bigface presence here can and will look like,” he said.
Bigface’s monthlong stint over the summer featured coconut cloud and black sesame lattes and a fancy $100 tasting flight. Butler himself swung by on several occasions. The upcoming pop-up, which will remain open until mid-April, will feature new specialty drinks. Bigface did not comment on whether the convalescing baller will show up more frequently this time around.
To celebrate the Super Bowl, the Corner Store will also host a pop-up of Kristin Juszczyk’s sports apparel brand Off Season from Feb. 5 to Feb. 7.
The queue on opening day of Butler’s last Bigface pop-up, in July. | Source: Morgan Ellis/The Standard
After Bigface departs, the space will host other local small businesses, according to Square CMO Lindsey Irvine. Last year, the Corner Store featured York Coffee and sold products from Craftsman and Wolves, Dolores Deluxe, and Boochman Kombucha.
Square does not collect rent from these businesses. Instead, the pop-ups are seen as opportunities for the payments processor to get visitors into the Corner Store, which also acts as a customer-service hub, where merchants can meet with company representatives. “There was pent-up demand for more in-person connection and community, and getting hands-on help,” Irvine said. Square staffs the shop every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., as well as during evening events the company throws for merchants.
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In the second half of the year, the number of Square transactions in the neighborhood rose 10%, amid gains in general foot traffic.
Bigface will host an opening-day block party Thursday starting at 3 p.m., then will be open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1100 Valencia St.