Nestled comfortably in the Elmwood neighborhood next to Herby’s Burgers, B-Side opened just 16 months ago. One or both of the husband and wife ownership duo, Caleb and Whitney Marsh, could be found behind the counter almost every morning, serving up lattes, sandwiches and conversation.
Two weeks ago, the Marshes announced they would be moving on from their coffee shop, and that their friends, Oak Cliff residents and B-Side regulars Russell Tibbits and Allison Macalik would be purchasing it from them, a surprising announcement, not only at its abruptness but also at the quick turnaround from opening to selling.
Until recently, Tibbits and Macalik were just consumers of coffee. The two have been married for 10 years, and recently learned the trade of opening a coffee shop through an investment in a friend’s Brooklyn shop. Opening one of their own in Dallas wasn’t on their radar, but the couple had toyed with the idea of creating an indoor play area business called Little Joy, inspired by their two children, Noah and Davie. Macalik says they went as far as to create a full business plan and logo, but the idea never materialized.
When the couple heard that the Marshes were putting B-Side on the market, it was an easy sell, especially given that the shop already had a designated play area. The couple’s dream came true.
Under Macalik and Tibbits, the shop will rebrand from B-Side to Little Joy, fulfilling the couple’s vision. Their two kids, aged 5 and 3, have already spent an entire formative year playing at B-Side. Now, it’s looking to become a lifelong memory.
“When they first started it,” says Tibbits, referring to B-Side Coffee, “they were four and two, and they would just beeline directly for the play area. It’s kind of why we initially fell in love with it. We’re parents, so we really value any place that parents can enjoy themselves in the same time that kids can.”
“There are a couple of play places here in town,” adds Macalik. “But they’re all really hectic and kind of crazy. It’s not really fun for the adults to be at.”
“The kids go and they love it,” Tibbits adds. “But the parents are just there because they have to be.”
Macalik says that the coffee and food menu will remain the same, but that they’re planning to repaint some of the walls and expand the play area in the back. The shop’s staff is mostly remaining the same, with baristas working on new drink ideas.
“This is like getting a facelift,” Macalik says. “It’s gonna be a little brighter, but we don’t want to change the magic that is this place.”
In addition, the couple plans to emphasize collaborations with fellow Oak Cliff small businesses, including a free bookshelf from Activating Reading Communities Organization (ARCO), a literary nonprofit from Oak Cliff-based bookstore, Whose Books.
“It’s such a beautiful thing to take over something that’s so loved,” Macalik says. “You have to be really delicate and sensitive.”
“It’s like we decided to have a third kid,” Tibbits adds. “At the end of the day, you’re so exhausted, but there’s nothing else you’d rather do.”
