Entrepreneurs Re-evaluate, Build Community in South LA
South LA residents Kevin Martinez, Ellie Guzman and Jazmin Garcia hope to create a community with their café. Photo credit: Pueblo Café
While the COVID-19 pandemic caused the loss of jobs for many, it also prompted others to start new businesses. According to the Census Bureau, the highest number ever of new businesses were created in the U.S. during 2020 —more than 4.4 million new businesses. That was a 24% increase from the previous year.
For some, Covid provided both the time and space to re-evaluate and focus on opportunities and goals that were important to them. As a result, the Zapatistas-inspired Pueblo Café was born. Three young entrepreneurs are using the age-old co-op model to help change a traditional exploitative work system while building a community in the South Los Angeles neighborhood they were raised in.
“From Chiapas to South Central, we envision un mundo donde quepan muchos mundos (a world where many worlds fit).” Boyle Height Beat’s Katlyn Valdez reports on the coffee pop up.
Ellie Guzman, Pueblo Café co-founder
Why Pueblo Café? For me, Pueblo Café is a resistance tactic. It’s a means to create alternatives to current business models, sustain a community-run space in the midst of gentrification and build & strengthen bridges among our neighbors/comrades.
Kevin Martinez, Pueblo Café co-founder
Why Pueblo Café?
Simply put: “It takes the hood the save the hood.” With Pueblo Café, we hope to create a space that is by the community for the community. One that is safe and honors the local mom and pops businesses that have served us for many years. I believe that South Central deserves coffee that is not just affordable and tasty, but also high-quality because our people deserve that and more.
Jazmin Garcia, Pueblo Café co-founder
Why Pueblo Café?
This cooperative is forming out of the love we have for our community. It’s about creating spaces that empower us while pushing back on the systems that exploit people. It’s about showing each other love when we need a little extra boost or a comforting warm cup on the more difficult days. Coffee reminds me of sitting with my family in the evening, it reminds me of comfort, and it reminds me of my family’s roots. I’m looking forward to sharing a cup with you all and learning what coffee means to you.