Latina owned Café Mestiza uses grants to build community and culture | Local

MEDFORD, Ore — Two Latinas in Medford are brewing more than coffee, they’re blending culture, community and flavor. Café Mestiza, which opened in 2024 and is nearing its two-year anniversary, is sharing Latino culture through its menu and community outreach.

Owners Jimena Valencia and Zuri Molina wanted the coffee shop to incorporate traditional Hispanic flavors such as tres leches and café de olla while also providing a space that breaks language barriers for Latino customers. Plus  creating a welcoming environment for the local Latino community has been a key goal for Zuri and Jimena.

Zuri Molina Co-Owner said “ That there’s sazon, that there’s culture behind it and I feel like when you walk in here, you really do see that”.

Zuri and Jimena have experience in the coffee industry, and noticed Southern Oregon lacked a coffee shop catering to the Latino community. Their goal is to bring people together, making everyone feel comfortable and connected.

In June, Café Mestiza participated in Pitch Latino Southern Oregon, a competition that provides a platform for Latino entrepreneurs to showcase their business ideas to investors, mentors, and the community. Café Mestiza took first place, earning a total of $6,000 in grants.

After their victory in Southern Oregon, co-founders Jimena and Zuri traveled to Portland in October to compete once again in Pitch Latino.

“If we thought we were less likely to win there, we were even more certain we wouldn’t win up in Portland,” Zuri said with a laugh. “But we thought, hey, we’re going to meet so many amazing people, and we’ll probably get a small participation grant. We were just happy to be there.”

Café Mestiza won first place again, this time receiving a $10,000 grant from Pitch Latino.

“I’m still in shock,” Jimena said. “I tell Zuri all the time I wish I could relive that experience.”

Zuri added, “I remember when they brought out the check, and we were just happy because we thought, Wow, we finished! We made it through and then, when they announced us as the winners, I just remember thinking, oh my gosh it felt like we’d just won the Super Bowl.”

With a combined $16,000 in grant funding from Pitch Latino, Jimena and Zuri are now able to focus on one of their original long-term goals for Café Mestiza, roasting their own coffee beans. However, given the current government shutdown, their immediate focus has shifted toward supporting community members in need.

That’s why they decided to allocate $2,000 from their winnings to help those affected by SNAP benefit cuts. They are giving away burritos and other essentials, and the Medford community has pitched in as well, raising additional funds to support the effort.

Jimena said “we were once those kids that were hungry and we were expecting that money, so even if it’s a small burrito, we always say it makes the difference”.

Both mentioned that they’re just two Latinas trying to pursue a business that can grow it’s connection within it’s community and if by giving away burritos is a way Mestiza can help the community

“A hundred percent we’re gonna do it.” said Jimena.

The Medford community also came together with Café Mestiza to create a donation link for people affected by SNAP. Together, the café and the community raised $2,500. The café plans to use the funds not only to make more burritos but also to assemble essential bags, Thanksgiving baskets, and basic necessities for families in need.

Zuri said “as the community is coming in and saying, this is my first time coming in, but we wanna support you guys. So it’s been like both, like, yes, we’re doing the small part, but they’re pouring into our cups so much more that why not continue to give back where we can, you know?”

Café Mestiza’s blend of culture, coffee and community has made it a gathering place for Medford residents, and a symbol of how small businesses can have a big impact.