EASTON, Pa. — It's meant to taste like heaven with each sip.
A family has opened a faith-based cafe that serves authentic Colombian coffee and paisa-inspired meals in the city.
Heavenly Coffee Shop, co-owned by Daniela Mesa and Yina Àlvarez, opened in June at 140B Northampton St.
Mesa and Àlvarez, who are cousins and hail from Medellín, Colombia, serve their own house-blend coffee brewed in different roasts that contains notes of licorice, cane sugar or floral and red berries.
The coffee beans were developed by them in partnership with Art Kaffa, a coffee brewer in Tolima, the capital of Ibagué — about five hours from their hometown.
"We wanted to offer something authentic and also organic that also supports the coffee growers of Colombia."Heavenly Coffee Shop co-owner Daniela Mesa
"We wanted to offer something authentic and also organic that also supports the coffee growers of Colombia," Mesa said in her native Spanish.
The coffee menu consists of hot and ice coffee options, including lattes, mocha, frozen drinks, fruit-infused iced lattes, pink refresher drinks and Spanish espresso, or cortados (made with steamed milk to reduce the acidity).
In the coming months, they said, they will offer coffee, "tinto-style," the Colombian version of a pour-over and typically consumed black, sans sugar or milk.
Migao, Colombian sweet bread
Breakfast options include migao ($16), a Colombian platter made with hot chocolate and queso fresco (white cheese) and a plate of mozzarella, sweet crackers, saltine crackers, buñuelos (cheese fritters) and albohabana (sweet bread).
"I enjoy when people come and order items for the first time because I enjoy sharing my culture with them," Mesa said, referring to the buñuelos.
Lunch options include turkey and mozzarella sandwich ($8.90) and avocado salad sandwich (smashed egg and avocado, $8.50).
Mesa and Àlvarez started their business as vendors at Easton Farmer's Market.
When they learned that the retail space — once housed by the Green Harvest Food Emporium and located on the lower-level of the Grand Eastonian Hotel — became available, the cousins jumped at the chance to expand the business.
Supporting Easton artists
Local shop owners and city leaders, especially their fellow Colombians, have been very supportive, Mesa said.
Heavenly Coffee Shop joins other Colombian-owned businesses in the city, including Tierra De Fuego, Las Delicias D´ Colombia Restaurant, Little Cali Empanada and Arepa Bar and Terra Cafe.
"As Christians, our faith is very important to us. Being part of this community, we feel very blessed and grateful."Heavenly Coffee Shop co-owner Daniela Mesa
Heavenly Coffee Shop also sells art and beauty products by local Latina artists including Yuliana Lopez, who painted a mural inside of the coffee house.
Customers also may notice a large prayer board where visitors are encouraged to leave a prayer or notes of kindness on sticky-notes.
Toward the rear of the cafe is a small reading area with faith-based books on shelves in English and Spanish.
It's all part of the concept behind the eatery, which Mesa and Àlvarez said they prayed about before opening.
"As Christians, our faith is very important to us," Mesa said. "Being part of this community, we feel very blessed and grateful."
