money New coffee shop is opening in Fresno’s Tower District. It has a Latin American twist
A new coffee shop is slated to open on the edge of Fresno’s Tower District.
Mi Cafesito will open in the former Loving Hut building at 1495 N. Van Ness Ave., across the street from craft beer bar Spokeasy in the area known as Van Ness Village.
Vegan restaurant Loving Hut closed earlier this year.
Mi Cafesito opened its first coffee shop more than two years ago inside Manchester Center. In December, it opened another location across from Washington Union High School.
This will be its third.
Mi Cafesito
Mi Cafesito specializes in coffee beans from Latin American countries, such as Mexico, El Salvador and Guatemala.
Its most popular drinks are its Mexican mocha made with Abuelita hot chocolate and a horchata latte made with homemade horchata.
“We want to keep our vibe the same, try to portray our culture in certain drinks,” said owner Evelyn Gutierrez.
Drinks are often served with inspiring messages written on the cups. And each one is topped with a tiny pan dulce (Mexican sweet bread) made by a 98-year-old baker.
Gutierrez practically vibrates with excitement about the new location.
“Neighbors, they were asking for a coffee shop for the longest time in that area and here we come,” she exclaimed.
This Mi Cafesito will have more food, a limited menu of breakfast and brunch items including chilaquiles, huevos rancheros and enchiladas.
If she can overcome the hiring shortage facing businesses and find a cook, she may add more food. Otherwise, it will be her doing all the cooking.
Most of the Mi Cafesito locations employ her kids or teen nieces and nephews. The business is hiring. Interested applicants are invited to email their résumés to MiCafesito.fresno@gmail.com.
Hours haven’t been finalized yet, but the new business will probably stay open until 8 p.m.
Gutierrez is hoping to open by July 1. Or possibly earlier, as the empty building has been hit by vandals or break-ins four times recently and an active business would cut down on such activity, she said.
Coffee in Tower
Mi Cafesito’s arrival will be the latest in a recent shakeup in the Tower coffee scene with newcomers settling into different niches.
In the past year, Alchemist Coffee Lab has opened in what used to be Hi-Top Coffee on Wishon Avenue. Its focus is on the coffee and unique brewing methods, with flights of espresso and lots of pour overs.
On the west end of Olive Avenue, the former hangout The Revue has become Component Coffee. It serves all kinds of coffee and espresso-based drinks, but also creative options like an espresso with tonic water and fresh orange, or matcha lemonade.
Kuppa Joy isn’t far away on Echo Avenue, with its Christian theme and sweet signature drinks.
