We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Miel and Curtis Herrera a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Miel and Curtis , thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
In 2018 Curtis and Miel thought long and hard about how coffee and yerba mate, coming predominantly from Latin countries, are disconnected from their culture. We decided to open Café Corazón and give the bean a voice. After a years seach for a space, being turned down 10 times because everyone we spoke to thought a Latin coffeehouse was a joke, we finally found our space and a landlord who believed in our vision.
We opened Café Corazón in 2019 offering the legendary warm, inviting hospitality, and mouth-watering flavors unique to Latin cultures. We’re a one-of-a-kind coffee house, specializing in classic and specialty Latinx coffee and espresso drinks. Café Corazón is the premier cafe in the midwest serving traditional Yerba Mate tea.
Our cafe was largely inspired by Miel’s father Alberto José Castagna, who grew up in the heart of Buenos Aires and emigrated to the U.S. when he was 16. He was a lifelong, multi-talented artist, avid yerba mate drinker, and an example of all that is great about South America and the Spanish-speaking world. We are equally inspired by Curtis’ grandparents, Felipa and Aniseto Herrera who came to the U.S. from Guadalajara Mexico in the 1930s to work on the railroads and the farms of Western Kansas and celebrated their heritage through family gatherings drenched in tradition and flavor.
The incredible variety of culture, food, language, and music—fostered and appreciated by Latinx cultures provides beauty and inspiration to us all. And this is what Café Corazón reflects.
Miel and Curtis , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
We both spent time in coffee shops for years being self-employed in the construction and dance industries and never felt fully at home. Our drinks with Latin flair provide a feeling of home for Latinx and Indigenous peoples and have created a safe space for us. At the same time, we focus on making our culture, and our upbringing accessible to everyone and a place where everyone can feel belonging.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
The most effective strategy for growing our clientele has been to be authentic to who we are. Being open and honest about issues that affect us has served us well as people are looking for connection and meaning with where they spend their dollars. Also focusing on carrying local products and other POC vendors helps to keep our local KC economy more egalitarian and strong.
Have you ever had to pivot?
COVID was a terribly trying time for us. With our unique concept and only being open 5 months before having to shut down in the height of the pandemic was horrible. We had to dig deep and restructure in order to open again, or we would never open again. The challenge was immense, but because we were already a new business and in a place of adaptation just by nature of being new, we were able to reopen with help from the SBA grants and ended up doing fine.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cafecorazonkc.com
- Instagram: cafecorazonkc
- Facebook: cafecorazonkc
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/caf%C3%A9-coraz%C3%B3n-kansas-city-2
Image Credits
Itzel Sanchez Ryan Carr Anna Petrow please contact me with questions about which image is whose