Like nearly every small business last year, Guadalupe Cafe faced its share of challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Only six months after its grand opening (in September 2019), the cafe closed its doors in response to the crisis and didn’t reopen for to-go orders and outdoor dining until May 2020.
“After the state order shut down all businesses last March, all I could think about was how were I and my employees going to be able to survive the shutdown,” Jose Martinez, co-founder and operations manager of the cafe, told the Sun. “On the other hand, I felt safe closing, since Guadalupe Cafe is a family business and the most important thing was to keep my family and our employees protected.”
While the local coffee shop and eatery remained closed during the first three months of the pandemic, Martinez and company focused on establishing an online presence for Guadalupe Cafe in the meantime.
“We created an e-commerce website to make it easier for customers to make orders and just pick up in the cafe,” Martinez said.
Right now, if you were to peek at either Guadalupe Cafe’s website (guadalupe.cafe) or Instagram page (@guadalupecalcafe), you’d notice the cafe is currently promoting a new selection of Easter-themed treats, just in time to pre-order before the holiday on Sunday, April 4.
“Due to our high demand of chocolate-covered strawberries on Valentine’s Day, we decided to provide the same special for Easter,” Martinez said. “It’s a way to offer some sweet delights during these difficult times.”
Patrons can choose between different sets of strawberries, dipped and drizzled in colorful candy melts and decorated and customized to resemble either Easter eggs, bunnies, or carrots. Packages are offered in either half a dozen (for $12) or a full dozen (for $20).
The cafe is also currently promoting its own unique Easter basket (for $15), which includes chocolate Easter eggs and a handful of children’s toys, including a stuffed Easter bunny, a paddle ball, jump rope, Frisbee, and more. The last day to pre-order either the strawberry package or Easter basket is Thursday, April 1. Pickup dates are Saturday, April 3, and Easter Sunday, April 4.
While Martinez and the Guadalupe Cafe team spent part of 2020 expanding the cafe’s patio area for locals to dine outdoors, they also hope nonprofits and other organizations will take advantage of the patio (with ample room to accommodate social distancing) for public gatherings, fundraisers, and other events.
On Saturday, March 27, the cafe teamed up with Central Coast Beat Social (CCBS), a collective dedicated to promoting local musicians, performers, and artists of all kinds, to host one of its Courtyard Culture events on the cafe’s patio.
“Courtyard Culture is a gathering of producers, rappers, singers, artists, DJs, dancers, and friends to network and showcase their art,” Martinez said of the periodic pop-up event, which takes place on a monthly basis at several different venues along the Central Coast, including in Guadalupe, Orcutt, Avila Beach, and other cities.
Each Courtyard Culture pop-up typically includes a live painting demonstration of some kind, an arts and crafts raffle, and various musical acts. The setlist of Guadalupe Cafe’s event included Anthony Michael, Charles X, Crispy De La Creme, DJ Dirtywater, DJ Qwest, Ryan Rare, and Vuvule.
“We look forward to doing many more in the future,” Martinez said, as the March gathering marked the first Courtyard Culture event held at Guadalupe Cafe.
While the new and improved patio and to-go options helped the cafe stay afloat during the pandemic, Martinez is excited for the day when indoor dining can return to the venue as well.
“Luckily, we have been able to survive this ‘new normal,’ and we look forward to a full capacity reopening,” Martinez said.
Currently open daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. (except Sunday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.) for takeout and outdoor dining, Guadalupe Cafe offers an all-day breakfast menu and a variety of lunch and dinner options alongside its coffee selection.
“Regarding food, my personal favorite menu item would either be the bacon and egg breakfast croissant or the tri-tip sandwich,” Martinez said.
The cafe’s menu features a wide range of soups, salads, sandwiches, burritos, huaraches, and nacho platters, along different kinds of desserts and pastries as well, from cupcakes to scones.
And when it comes to beverages, the cafe’s coffee and espresso concoctions—Americanos, cappuccinos, mochas, lattes, macchiatos, frappes, etc.—are only the tip of the iceberg. Guests of Guadalupe Cafe can expect to find a wide assortment of teas, boba teas, slushies, smoothies, and milkshakes to choose from.
“It depends on the time of day,” Martinez said, when asked what his personal favorite drink at the cafe might be. “It could be a caramel latte in the morning, or a raspberry iced tea during the day.”
Arts Editor Caleb Wiseblood is berry fond of a good iced tea or latte any time of the day. Send comments to [email protected].
