A colorful patio with a giant palm tree painting and tables can be seen from Cedar Springs Road. When you walk in, 70s-style couches are on your left and tantalizing desserts are on your right. Captivating artwork is always on the wall and lunchboxes and eccentric cups abound. It is immediately apparent that Buli is not your average coffee shop. Co-owner Scott Whittall doesn’t even consider Starbucks competition. He said, “Quality is our big thing. We offer the feel of a lived-in and enjoyed space.” From the eclectic crowd and homey feel, Buli is one Dallas hot spot that is in a league of its own. Buli offers much more than food and a great cup of Joe … patrons should be prepared to have all of their senses appeased upon arrival. If You Brew It, They Will Come
The vibe is one of casual comfort. Coffee is brewed in-house and brought in from Houston and Oklahoma. Sandwiches are served in kitschy lunchboxes that remind you of simpler times. Customers run the gamut … from college students with textbooks and papers scattered around the table to older patrons reading the business section. Many customers have been coming to Buli since its doors opened five years ago. In addition to return customers, the other consistent demographic in the store is diversity.
Visitors will notice immediately that Buli takes the term of being an artsy spot literally.
Owners Whittall and Allen Goode offer exhibition space for local artists. One week the walls may be covered with abstract geometric designs, the next there may be works paying homage to musicians and actors. It’s not unusual for risqué, eyebrow-raising pieces to adorn the walls of Buli, living up to its reputation of pushing the boundaries of social norms. Many artists whose work has premiered at Buli have gone on to receive success and acclaim. People are People
If you’re a passionate follower of the New Wave pop scene, you may be instantaneously hit with a blast of nostalgia and the illusion of being time-warped back to 1985. Thanks to the installation of XM Radio, visitors can expect to hear rare cuts from the Pet Shop Boys, vintage Clash tunes or new-wave cult favorites like Echo and The Bunnymen.
While sipping their lattes or specialty-blended chai-teas, music aficionados may be in awe as they listen to some of their favorites from historical periods dating back to Gorbachev’s reign in Russia and the Reagan Era. “To me, the 80s was the greatest genre of music ever … what has the nineties (or beyond) ever brought us,” Whittall candidly admits. But there is a coup brewing among staffers as young Generation Y-ers try to sneak more modern Indie tunes into the café’s music collection. Somehow, playing these remarkable retro-80s anthems blends in with Buli’s colorful mystique, providing café goers a refreshing trip down memory lane.
The Signs They Are A-Changin’
Cedar Springs, like many areas, has experienced construction and the closing of businesses.
Due to the economic recession, what was once a hopping scene now sees only a trickle of previous traffic. One of Buli’s great assets is its ability to change and adjust with the times. In addition to the food, music and artistic settings, Buli offers free Internet access to customers. Although the café feel may be reminiscent of days gone by, Whittall believes the natural progression is toward evening offerings. There is the potential for renovation and the possibility of adding alcohol with sophisticated meal pairings. After stopping by, it is apparent how the acronym of Buli originated … because you love it!Buli has a reception for the featured artist from 6:30 to 9 p.m. On the first Wednesday of each month.
Posted 9/30
