BREAKING: Renowned author Dave Eggers has just announced an exciting new café set to open at the Pier 29 Art + Water project in San Francisco. Slated for launch in late summer or fall 2026, this café aims to redefine the coffeehouse experience as a vibrant hub for artists and community engagement.
The café, which is part of the expansive 70,000-square-foot Art + Water initiative, will not only serve specialty coffee but will also provide a unique space for creative expression. Eggers is collaborating with Mokhtar Alkhanshali, the visionary behind Oakland’s renowned Mohka House, known for its specialty Yemeni coffee.
In a statement, Eggers emphasized his vision for the café: “A place to luxuriate in a space filled with rugs, pillows, tapestries, silver, copper, and gold.” Alkhanshali added, “Eggers noticed there was no coffee in that entire area,” pointing to the need for a dedicated gathering spot for locals and artists alike.
The Art + Water project is designed to offer 10 established artists free studio space in exchange for mentoring 20 emerging artists. This innovative approach aims to move away from traditional art school models, fostering a community-driven apprenticeship system that alleviates financial burdens on students.
The first program will feature the work of Oakland musician and filmmaker Boots Riley, setting the stage for a diverse range of artistic showcases. Eggers and Alkhanshali plan to host events that further engage the local arts community, making the café a central meeting point.
Supported by the Community Arts Stabilization Trust, which secured a two-year lease for the pier, this project promises to be a sanctuary for visual artists such as Paul Madonna and Taraneh Hemani. The project will also function as a “satellite” gallery for artists who face displacement from other spaces.
Applications for the nonprofit’s inaugural fellowship will soon be available on Art + Water’s social media channels, as free classes and exhibitions are set to enrich the local San Francisco community.
Stay tuned for further updates as this groundbreaking project unfolds, promising to blend art, culture, and community in an unprecedented way.
