New on the Scene: Reset

A café in Folsom opened just before the pandemic, and it’s quickly gained a devoted following.
reset cafe

The husband and wife team of John and Tahni Voelz opened Reset: Café By Day on Folsom’s Sutter Street to be something a little different, and at the same time, a place where anyone can feel truly welcomed.

“More than anything I want people to come here and feel that they matter,” says John, who’s also a pastor. “That’s probably the thing we’ve worked hardest for this past year—creating an experience that makes people feel that they are loved—and they belong.”

That explains the warm and welcoming customer service from the moment you walk in to Reset. It’s a family affair—in addition to John and Tahni, their eldest daughter, Karysa, is the baker, their son-in-law, Charlie, is the chef, and their youngest daughter, Kasidy, is the head barista.

reset cafe art

As for the name “Reset,” that’s part of the story. Before pandemic restrictions really tightened down, every day at 4 p.m. the restaurant would transform from a coffee house into a beer, wine and food bar with a whole different vibe. They would change the art, the lighting, the uniforms, the background music and the menu (from baked goods and breakfast items to charcuterie, pizza and other with-drinks nosh). Live music was happening a couple times a week. With COVID, Reset scaled down and, at press time, was operating solely as a coffee house with baked goods and outdoor seating. The Voelzes have planned a phased return to full operation when restrictions are lifted—soon, they hope.

“It’s a combination of our three loves; coffee, food, and the artistry behind a really good beer or glass of wine,” John says. “This has been a dream of ours for 30 years. We call it Reset because it’s more than just a place that transforms in the evening. To Reset also means to refresh, find new energy, and to start again. That’s us, and that’s what we want this place to be for everyone.” 727 Sutter St., Folsom; (916) 358-9162;