The coffee shop and barber shop that stay open when the power goes out

Summary

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Episode Overview

Title: The coffee shop and barber shop that stay open when the power goes out
Podcast: Climate Connections
Host: Dr. Anthony Leiserowitz
Date: July 22, 2026

This episode highlights a community-driven solution to power outages and climate resilience. Dr. Anthony Leiserowitz spotlights Culture Coffee and Salt Lake Barber Company, two Salt Lake City businesses powered by rooftop solar and batteries. Their approach not only sustains their operations during outages but also strengthens their neighborhood’s resilience to climate challenges.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Community Gathering Spot & Inclusive Space

• Culture Coffee on the West Side of Salt Lake City:
  The café serves as a vital, inclusive gathering place. Customers come for “caffeine and conversation,” and the environment is described as a “safe space for all different walks of life.”
  (00:13–00:21)

• Building Community:
  Owners Eric Stone and Isaac Atencio emphasize their commitment to neighborhood support, seeing their businesses as more than commercial operations—they’re community pillars.
  (00:21)

Solar Energy as a Lifeline During Power Outages

• Resilience Through Clean Energy:
  The adjoining coffee shop and barbershop stay open even during neighborhood power outages due to solar panels and battery systems. This ensures continued access to electricity for cooling, phone charging, and community support.
  (00:32–00:48)

  “We could be handing ice out the doors or we could have air conditioner running if we needed. We could also have a place for people to charge their phones.”
  — Isaac Atencio (00:40)

Partnership and Funding

• Collaboration with Utah Clean Energy:
  Installation of solar and battery systems was made possible through partnership with a local nonprofit and funding via grants and tax credits. This made clean energy accessible for a small business.
  (00:48–01:02)

Financial and Mission-Driven Benefits

• Lower Utility Costs & Sustainable Operations:
  Generating their own clean energy not only provides backup power but also substantially reduces utility bills for the business.

  “Ultimately, it has been a real great boon to us from both a bottom line perspective, but also another way where we get to live our mission and show that we really believe in sustainability and also, you know, be a hub of resiliency in the event of sustained power outages for the neighborhood.”
  — Isaac Atencio (01:02)

Model of Neighborhood Resilience

• A Hub in Times of Crisis:
  By staying powered when others go dark, the businesses offer essential services—cooling, device charging, and a safe place—to neighbors during emergencies.
• A Template for Others:
  Their experience demonstrates how clean energy solutions can simultaneously advance sustainability, community cohesion, and climate resilience in everyday life.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We have all of our clients that come in and get coffee and relax and hang out and it's really just a safe space for all different walks of life.”
  — Eric Stone (00:13)
• “We could be handing ice out the doors or we could have air conditioner running if we needed. We could also have a place for people to charge their phones.”
  — Isaac Atencio (00:40)
• “Ultimately, it has been a real great boon to us from both a bottom line perspective, but also another way where we get to live our mission and show that we really believe in sustainability and also, you know, be a hub of resiliency in the event of sustained power outages for the neighborhood.”
  — Isaac Atencio (01:02)

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Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:01: Introduction to the businesses and their community role
• 00:21: Co-owner Eric Stone on fostering inclusive space
• 00:32: How rooftop solar and batteries keep the lights on
• 00:40: Atencio details resilience benefits during blackouts
• 00:48: Partnership with Utah Clean Energy and funding model
• 01:02: Atencio on financial and mission-driven impact
• 01:20: Episode wrap-up

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Transcript

[A]

I'm Dr. Anthony Lisewitz and this is Climate Connections on the west side of Salt Lake City. Customers stop in at Culture Coffee for caffeine and conversation.

[B]

We have all of our clients that come in and get coffee and relax and hang out and it's really just a safe space for all different walks

[A]

of life. That's Eric Stone. He and Isaac Atencio co own the cafe and adjoining barbershop Salt Lake Barber company With their businesses they work to build and support community and during a neighborhood power outage, they can continue doing so thanks to rooftop solar panels and batteries that keep the electricity running.

[C]

We could be handing ice out the doors or we could have air conditioner running if we needed. We could also have a place for people to charge their phones.

[A]

The businesses worked with a nonprofit, Utah Clean Energy, on the solar and battery project, which was funded through grant money and tax credits. And Atencio says generating their own clean energy is also saving them a lot of money on their utility bills.

[C]

Ultimately, it has been a real great boon to us from both a bottom line perspective, but also another way where we get to live our mission and show that we really believe in sustainability and also, you know, be a hub of resiliency in the event of sustained power outages for the neighborhood.

[A]

Climate Connections is produced by the Yale center for Environmental Communication. To learn more about climate change, visit climateconnections.org.