Get Wired at Marcella June's: a Bright Idea for Coffee Talk

Marcella June’s Coffee Lounge is a sweet spot on La Mesa Boulevard for good food, new friends and engaging conversation.

Owner David Zaloudek is as nice as they come, too. When Town Pulse paid a visit  this week, Zaloudek was sitting with two regular customers. One of his regulars, redheaded Sylvia, insisted that we order a quiche along with our planned Mexican hot chocolate. “You can take half home, dear, and enjoy it later,” she said.

If only that bacon-and-cheddar quiche lasted that long. 

Zaloudek revealed he gets his yummy quiches and pastries from San Diego Desserts along El Cajon Boulevard. As we attempted to swallow the quiche whole—yes, it was that good—we were treated to Zaloudek’s story.

Born and raised in Omaha, Zaloudek moved to San Diego in 2005. Zaloudek, who has a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s of science in educational administration, has been a teacher, high school principal and pharmaceutical representative.  

Also a talented lampsmith—check out his amazing glasswork in the Lounge.  Zaloudek decided to combine his lighting business with his equally brilliant love for good coffee.

In a weird twist on the usual David and Goliath story, he actually got a little help from his friends at Starbucks in starting the business. “They were great,” said Zaloudek, whose experience as a barista at Starbucks helped to teach him the ins and outs of the coffee biz.

When it was time to open the shop, Zaloudek decided to name it after his mom, Marcella June. A beautiful painting of Ms. June hangs in the coffeeshop, watching over all who come to lounge and hang out with a cup o’ Joe or, better yet, a mug of Red Espresso.

Zaloudek, a progressive thinker and connoisseur of warm drinks, offers Red Espresso for people with more refined tastes. While it sounds like a potent brew, Red Espresso is actually a rooibos tea, which isn’t caffeinated and has traditionally been used in South Africa to treat colicky stomach cramps, insomnia , fever, headaches, asthma, digestion problems and skin disorders.

While we can’t swear by any traditional cures, we can tell you a visit at Marcella June’s is definitely what any doctor would order for a favorite patient.

And just in case you’re wondering how the lighting biz fits into Marcella June’s, the last Sunday of each month is Lamp Resurrection Day. For $20 and the cost of parts, Zaloudek will rewire your favorite lamp.