On February 14th , just in time to celebrate Valentines’ day, the first two Women in Coffee concept stores will open within INVITA cafè. Here an interview to Sara, manager of the two Invita café locations in CARLSBAD and RANCHO SANTA FE (for more info on the locations: https://www.invitacafe.com/locations ).
“Women in Coffee” is Caffè Vergnano sustainable project: a concrete commitment to sustain projects of women working in the coffee plantations. A project for social inclusion.That is the goal of Women in Coffee 2020, which will support the construction of The Family Rural Library for the inhabitants of Marcala, Honduras. The library will be open to the whole community: a place where children can study, learn and have fun, where families can meet and where IWCA members can gather. All this to create a place that allows women to meet and express their full potential.
INVITA cafè and specially SARA DE LUCA, manager of the two INVITA locations has decided to support the project, becoming the first Women in Coffee ambassador in the US.
“Sara, let us know more about INVITA’S history: when did it all start and when did you became store manager?”
When I graduated college in 2016 I began working for a start up company- CommonGrounds Workspace. As they developed their concept, they decided to launch an F&B amenity for their members. I was fortunate enough to be part of the development team of a coffee shop concept for CommonGrounds. In 2016 we opened a prototype cart at beachfront park in San Diego where we tested different coffee machines, coffee products, recipes and ideas. It was here where I came up with the name, concept and story behind Invita. In 2017 we opened our first official shop in Carlsbad, California. October of last year we opened our second San Diego location. I have since branched off from CommonGrounds Workspace and now operate the two San Diego locations as my own personal business.
“Which are the reasons behind your choice to support women in coffee?”
Our team is excited to launch a program that helps us be more intentional about giving back. Our commitment to Caffé Vergnano and admiration for Carolina Vergnano herself makes the program even more special. Women in Coffee seemed the perfect match for Invita Café considering that it is women owned and strongly women operated. After a year of such separation, we are excited to use this program as a way to bring our local community back together and support those in need around the world, all while enjoying a delicious new blend of flavors!
Which are the new trends in coffee nowadays in California and how the old fascinating espresso fits in?
It’s obvious that the coffee industry has sword in the past decade. While I’m not exactly competing with a third wave craze that has occurred in my generation, I’ve tapped into a niche market. There aren’t very many coffee shops that take the traditional styles of Italy mixed with the modern third wave concepts that have developed off today. I’m hoping with time I can get increasingly more of the community to appreciate and enjoy the traditional flavors I’m so passionate about. It’s obvious that the coffee industry has soared in the past decade. It’s more about creating a space our local community can thrive in versus becoming a mega corporate company in 5 to 10 years. I want people to feel like they’ve taken a trip to the old country when they walk into the shops!
Get to know more about the project here: https://caffevergnano.us/impact/women-in-coffee/