Today we’d like to introduce you to Ria Takhar.
Hi Ria, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Perk Place opened its doors on January 22, 2014, but the dream started months earlier as a family conversation. My mom, dad, and I always knew we wanted to create something together, but we didn’t know exactly what. After a lot of late-night brainstorming, we landed on the idea of a bakery that made coffee. My mom has always been the master baker with the recipes everyone loved, and I’ve always loved the detail and creativity that comes with decorating. My dad was the brains and numbers guy – the one who could take our big ideas and turn them into a plan – and none of this would’ve happened without him.
After about a month of coffee training (because, honestly, none of us knew anything about coffee at the time), we realized we wanted to flip the concept: a coffee shop that served great bakery items. We dove all in – I went to coffee camp and coffee school, and we all traveled to Coffee Fest in Chicago, which completely changed how we saw the craft of coffee. By June 2013, we were all-in. We broke ground that October and opened a few months later.
Those early days were brutal — 18-hour days at first, then 16-hour days for months without a single day off. It was the hardest thing any of us had ever done. But even in the exhaustion, it was incredible. We saw people coming together in our space, and that sense of community is what kept us going.
One milestone that still makes us smile is what we call the “no more crying when the phone rings” phase. For about a year, every time the phone rang, there was this rush of panic: “What do we need to do to make sure this customer is happy?” We were trying to be everything for everyone, all the time, while still figuring out who we were. It was stressful, there were tears, and there were moments where we questioned if we could keep up. But then one day, the phone rang, and there were no tears – just confidence. We knew who we were, what we stood for, and how to take care of our customers without losing ourselves in the process. That was the moment we knew we’d be okay.
Even after losing my dad in 2018, pieces of him are still everywhere in Perk Place. His favorite drink was a Vietnamese iced coffee – extra shot, extra sweetened condensed milk – and our house-made Masala Chai is still his recipe, a nod to his Indian roots. It’s those little details that keep him part of the story and part of our customers’ everyday experiences.
Then COVID hit, and we had two options: sit in disbelief or act fast. I chose beast mode. My mom was worried, as any smart business owner would be, but I was determined: “Nope. We’ve got this.” Within days, we turned our entire model into curbside-only. We built a phone ordering system, updated our website, partnered with local delivery services, and packed away all the mugs, chairs, and tables – hoping one day they’d come back. It was heartbreaking meeting customers outside, masked and teary-eyed, when coffee had always been the reason for gathering.
But our customers showed us so much kindness. Someone once tried to hand me $100 just to support us, and when I refused, they tossed it out the car window with a smile. Another regular, after restrictions lifted, stopped in the parking lot, 30 feet away, and asked if he could hug me. I bawled in his arms. COVID took so much, but it also showed how much community mattered – and how much people cared about Perk Place.
Today, we’ve grown into more than just a coffee shop. We’re a space where people meet, celebrate, work, and connect – and that sense of belonging is what we’re most proud of. Now we’re starting to dream about what the next chapter of Perk Place could look like. It’s still taking shape, but it’s exciting to think about where we can go from here
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth? Not at all, haha, but that’s part of what makes it rewarding. In the early days, we were working 16–18 hour days, trying to learn everything at once — how to pull the perfect shot, how to manage a team, how to just keep the doors open. There were tears, frustration, and more than a few moments of wondering if we’d made a huge mistake.
One of the hardest personal hurdles came when my dad passed in 2018. He was such a big part of this dream, and keeping things steady while processing that loss was incredibly difficult. It was also incredibly difficult for the customers. They loved him, and to this day, they share their stories about him, and how they miss him walking around washing tables, and chatting with everyone.
And then, of course, COVID. It turned everything upside down overnight. We had to pivot to curbside-only and basically rebuild our business model on the fly, all while missing the in-person community that made Perk Place special.
Those struggles taught me how to be flexible, how to trust myself, and how to lean on the people around me — our team and our customers. Looking back, none of those chapters were easy, but every one of them helped shape who we are today.
We’ve been impressed with Perk Place Coffeehouse, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Perk Place is more than just a coffee shop. We’ve become a little community hub here in Duluth. We’re known for specialty coffee and espresso drinks, house-made bakery items, family recipes, and a menu that’s grown with us over the years. Whether it’s someone’s morning latte, a chai made from my dad’s original recipe, or one of our signature seasonal drinks, our goal has always been the same: make every visit feel like a treat.
What really sets us apart is that sense of connection. From day one, we wanted to create a space where everyone feels welcome — whether you’re a regular who knows the staff by name or someone just popping in for the first time. We take a lot of pride in consistency and quality, but also in the relationships we’ve built.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of how Perk Place has become part of people’s routines and memories. We’ve watched first dates turn into engagements, served the bride and groom on their wedding day, job interviews turn into celebrations, watched babies grow up, and strangers become friends — all over cups of coffee.
At the end of the day, we’re here to serve good coffee, good food, and good vibes — and we love being part of our customers’ everyday stories.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
The simplest way to support us is just to come in, grab a drink, and say hi! That’s what keeps our doors open and our community thriving. Sharing your experience with friends, leaving a kind review, or tagging us on social media makes a huge difference, too.
For collaborations, we love working with other local businesses, artists, and organizations. Whether it’s hosting pop-ups, featuring local products, or brainstorming creative partnerships, we’re always open to ideas that strengthen our community.
And honestly, one of the best ways to support Perk Place is to keep letting us be part of your everyday. Whether it’s your morning coffee stop, your weekend treat, or a place to just sit and feel at home. That connection is what keeps us doing what we love.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.perkplaceduluth.com
- Instagram: @perkplaceduluth
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/perkplaceduluth
