Member Spotlight—Anoop N.
Anoop is one of our very first Tillage members, loves getting to know other Tillagers (say hi if you see him!), and has some great bakery recommendations.
How long have you been in the city? Tell us a little about your journey.
I moved from Barcelona to Berkeley in 2019 for a business school exchange program, fully intending to head back to Europe afterward. Instead, I got a full-time offer for a global role from a San Francisco-based impact investing company, which was a dream job at the time.
I came to SF in January 2020 just to get onboarded, and then COVID hit. I found a room on Craigslist (for what was just supposed to be three weeks but kept getting extended), and my roommate eventually became my wife! I’d always wanted to experience life and work in the U.S., and SF ended up being a place where I felt rooted and part of a community.
How many steps are you away from Tillage?
Fewer than 100. I live one block away on Irving.
What does a typical day or week look like for you, and how has Tillage become a part of that routine?
I work mostly remote. My days are bookended by my kids, and Tillage perfectly fills the space in between. It’s where I come to focus, zone in, and get work done. I’m usually here in the middle of the day.
What drew you to Tillage, and what have you enjoyed about being part of the community so far?
With a second child at home, I wanted to be present and be helpful, but I was struggling to focus. I was rotating through every café in the Sunset (which adds up), and when I spotted the Tillage sign (ironically, while walking to a café), I signed up in the first week.
I moved to the neighborhood in 2021 and didn’t really know my neighbors—COVID plus parenting plus remote work didn’t leave much room for that. Tillage brings the community into one space. I’ve met an author of children’s books who writes here, a fellow dad who lives on the same block as me, and an abstract figurative artist whose art adorns the Tillage walls. I didn't necessarily come for community, but I’ve come to love being surrounded by neighbors, sharing a conversation, or having coffee together.
Where's your favorite spot in/at Tillage? e.g. sitting by the front window in the library, the leather bench at the community table in the Lounge, the bathroom with the mural, etc.
The library table, inner seat, right next to the heater. I was drawn to it because it’s the right balance: it’s quiet, calm, and perfectly positioned, facing the window but not directly in the light.
What does being a community member mean to you?
Showing up as yourself, sharing energy and stories, being open to conversation, and helping when you can, whether that’s advice, connections, or a good neighborhood recommendation.
What’s one local spot you couldn’t live without, and what’s one memory you’ve made there?
I can’t pick one. Arizmendi Bakery and Snowbird Coffee are very heavily in my rotation. I love the people and the philosophy at Arizmendi. The food is great too — they had a curry potato puff pastry today. You have to try the Bialy and the Chocolate Thing. The OG pineapple puff pastry at Pineapple King Bakery gets a special mention, and Uncle Benny’s Donut & Bagel, for being open at 3 am. Ok, I’ll stop.
