Quietly nestled in the Guadalupe Cultural Arts District, the local West Side coffee shop, Guadalupe Street Coffee is offering more than a cup of Folgers; they are the first coffee shop to provide free internet access to customers in the area. Since its grand opening in October 2006, customers of all ages have flocked to the quaint but contemporary java house.

As a collaborative effort from both the community and non-profit organizations such as Trinity Baptist Church and Baptist Child and Family Services, the concept of bringing a trendy coffee shop to the deep West Side was conceived and implemented.

For two years, Program Director, Jeremy Everett listened closely to the community’s needs and expectations. “People in the neighborhood said that they wanted a place to go hang out and spend time while non-profits [organizations] and different business people said they wanted a place where they can meet with clients or other co-workers since there wasn’t really a neutral meeting site in the community, other than taquerias,” said Everett.

With this in mind, both economic development and educational encouragement were the main reasoning behind building the coffee shop. With area high schools having a 50% drop-out rate, Guadalupe Street Coffee wanted to do something to help the students complete high school and motivate them in attending college.

According to manager, Lourdes Galvan, Guadalupe Street Coffee not only provides free internet terminals and Wi-Fi but also a counselor for one-on-one college preparation. This volunteer works diligently with high school students to help them plan for college by ensuring they successfully graduate.
Additionally, Everett feels that just by frequenting coffee shops when studying or for leisure, college students are acting as role models for youth in the neighborhood. To draw in more students, the coffee house offers a 15% discount with a student ID.

“We really love for college students to come here,” said Everett.

Who himself would spend most of his time at coffee shops when he was in college. With its rich atmosphere and cultural ambiance, it is no wonder why professors from UTSA and other universities hold class at Guadalupe Street Coffee.

“It’s a very relaxing environment,” he said, adding that he believed that the coffee shop would certainly be accepted as “cool on the North Side.” With this, he also believes that the community has grown accustomed to receiving the leftovers of the city while areas such as the North Side receive finer.

“Essentially we want people from the community to start expecting better for themselves,” said Everett.

Guadalupe Street Coffee, at 1320 Guadalupe Street offers not only organic but fair-trade coffee along with their famed, “Mocha Latina.”

Its hours of operation are Monday through Friday 7 a.m – 8 p.m, Saturday 8 a.m – 3 p.m and are closed on Sundays.