After four years of pouring Colombian coffee out of a trailer at private parties and public festivals, Danny and Lael Martinez have finally planted roots. Their brand, Mi Cafecito, opened a permanent storefront at 2202 W. Platt St. in Tampa’s SoHo district, serving strong Colombian coffee, homemade arepas and other menu items Wednesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The move caps a run that saw Mi Cafecito work more than 400 events as a mobile pop-up and catering operation, according to Tampa Bay 28. The business also provided mobile corporate and event services, according to Mi Cafecito LLC. That stretch of mobile service preceded the Martinezes’ move to a permanent storefront.
To help fund the buildout of the physical space, the couple turned to their community. In August, they launched a Kickstarter campaign seeking $12,000 for the storefront, per the crowdfunding page. It’s the kind of grassroots financing move increasingly common among mobile food and beverage operators looking to make the leap to brick-and-mortar without taking on heavier debt.
Colombian Coffee and Homemade Arepas
The shop’s menu includes Colombian coffee and homemade arepas. The coffee itself is sourced from Colombian farms, per Tampa Bay 28’s reporting, and diners can also find homemade arepas alongside espresso drinks…