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Julie’s Coffee and Tea Garden Celebrates New Owner

Friends, families, and patrons gathered in front of Julie’s Coffee & Tea Garden on Friday afternoon for a cheerful “Passing the Torch” celebration to commemorate Shannon Marsden taking ownership of the beloved Alameda cafe. An employee of Julie’s since 2017, Marsden started out as a part-time bookkeeper, then became a baker, general kitchen manager, and eventually general manager. On Saturday, November 16, Marsden stepped into her new role as owner of Julie’s.

Alameda Post - six people stand outside of Julie's Coffee and Tea Garden as the new owner cuts a large ribbon
Marsden cuts the ribbon at Julie’s as she assumes her new role. Photo Jean Chen.

Founder and former owner Julie Baron was on hand at the ceremony to officially transfer ownership of the cafe. Referring to Marsden as a “dream come true,” Baron gushed, “She’s been running this place for the last six years, basically, my right hand. So much work ethic, so much energy, so much creativity, I couldn’t think of a more perfect person to take this to the next generation.” Baron called Marsden “a dream” who ensures that the beloved neighborhood cafe continues to be a part of the community.

Founded in 2005, Julie’s is known for a wide selection of teas, sandwiches and fresh salads, and delicious baked goods. The cafe also is a community hub, a place for artists, writers, and friends to meet up.



Alameda writers Bronwyn Emery and Erica Peck attended the celebration. Their writing group, To Live and Write in Alameda, has been meeting at Julie’s every week for 10 years. “Julie made it known that this was a space where she intended to support communities within the community,” Emery told the Alameda Post, noting that the cafe and staff have been “so hospitable.”

Peck agreed. “The space is so welcoming and inviting,” she added.

Alameda Post - a woman paints a whimsical mural including a character that looks like the mad hatter
Jess Warren paints the mural. Photo Wes Warren.

Artist Wes Warren, who runs the Studio 23 art gallery with his wife Jess, also was in attendance. They had been at Julie’s until 3 a.m. the night before, painting a new mural in the bathroom of the cafe, he told the Post. “We’ve known Julie and Shannon for years and we’re excited to see the ribbon cutting.”

When asked what his usual order is, Warren answered, “The breakfast sandwich. I’m addicted to it. Oh my god it’s so good.” Emery said her usual order is “baked eggs and a chai au lait.”

Alameda Post - a man and woman smile at the camera inside Julie's Coffee and Tea Garden
Wes Warren and Julie’s new owner, Shannon Marsden. Photo Jean Chen.

It’s not just artists and writers who come for coffee, lunch, and camaraderie at Julie’s. The cafe also attracts politicians. In her ceremonial remarks before the ribbon cutting, Alameda Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft—who endorsed the quiche at Julie’s—told the attendees, “Julie cultivated more than coffee and tea in the garden. She gave a space for so many community members, myself included, to step away from the hustle and bustle of our daily lives.”

Ashcraft then recounted running for Alameda City Council in 2010 and losing. In the aftermath of that election, a community member reached out, took Ashcraft to get coffee at Julie’s, and encouraged her to run again. The rest, of course, is history.

Ashcraft also brought California State Senator Nancy Skinner to Julie’s when Skinner asked Ashcraft for an endorsement in 2016. Ashcraft recalled telling her, “Well, you better come over to Alameda and meet with me here and see my city.”

Alameda Post - three women smile and pose for a photo in Julie's Coffee an Tea Garden
Carly Strouse, founder and namesake Julie Baron, and Dani Lamkin. Photo Jean Chen.

One of the most welcoming aspects of Julie’s is the people who work behind the counter and in the kitchen. “The staff has always been so lovely,” Emery said. That includes Marsden and a familiar face to many patrons, Araceli Gonzalez, who has been working at Julie’s for six years. Gonzalez was holding one end of the ribbon during the ceremony and told the Post that Julie’s “feels like a family.” She explained that during Covid, Julie “really took care of us, and that made us appreciate her more than ever.”

Marsden is looking forward to continuing Julie’s legacy. “It’s been such a build up,” she said. “The big sense of ownership will come tomorrow when I come in and unlock these doors for the first time as the owner.”

For the rest of the year, Marsden will be focusing on holiday orders—and bringing more pie to the menu. “Pot pies, pie slices, hand pies.” Customers can order from a selection of 10 Thanksgiving pies on the Julie’s website.

Meanwhile, Baron is looking forward to riding horses and becoming a grandmother. When asked what she will miss most about Julie’s, she responded, “Definitely the customers.”

Jean Chen is a contributing writer for the Alameda Post. Contact her via [email protected]. Her writing is collected at AlamedaPost.com/Jean-Chen.

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