Coffee & Culture: Café Corazón
A coffee favorite known for bringing culture to Westport is about to open another set of doors in the Crossroads!
Photos by Anna Petrow
Hey peeps, I have some fantastic noticias to share! A New Heart of the Crossroads-Café Corazón Crossroads Opens in February!
If y’all missed my previous article on Café Corazón, worry not, because you will be reading more about Curtis Herrera and Miel Castagna-Herrera, the owners of Kansas City’s premier Latinx coffee and yerba mate house, Café Corazón (1721 Westport Road)!
They are poised to open their much anticipated second location in the Crossroads at 110 Southwest Blvd. (between Weinberger Fine Art and KC Arts) this February. Café Corazón Crossroads will be the Hermana mayor (big sister) to the Westport location, with a larger space to accommodate a larger number of guests and with a menu that is expanded with more food and again reflects the owner’s Latinx and Mestizo heritage.
At Corazón’s Crossroads location, Curtis and Miel are traveling more deeply into their roots to create this next iteration of Café Corazón. Miel’s father immigrated from Buenos Aires, Argentina to the US and is the reason for the menu leaning into flavors like dulce de leche, alfajores, empanadas, choripan, and yerba mate– all of which are honored at the new space. One side of Curtis’ family are immigrants from Guadalajara, Mexico, and the other, Mescalero Apache Native Americans from New Mexico. At Café Corazón Crossroads, the addition of the Native American or Mestizo aspect of Latinx culture will be introduced with new drinks featuring native berries, blue corn, cactus, and foods with the honored Three Sisters- squash, corn, and beans.
There are 33 Latin countries in the world and Curtis and Miel’s goals are not to mirror exactly each one, but rather to connect Latin cultures and traditions at both Café Corazón locations, by an introduction of what it means to be Latinx to the Midwest so that people understand that there are more to Latin Peoples that what they are stereotyped to be: more flavor, more color, more vibe– all that is varied and beautiful.
The mural in Corazón Crossroads is painted by the same artists as the well-known mural at the Westport location. The artists, Rodrigo Alvarez and Isaac Tapia, are both DACA recipients from Uruguay and Mexico, respectively. The new mural at the Crossroads location celebrates the Mestizo roots of many Latinos. The beautiful Native of the American is guarding and yet sharing her crops of corn, yerba mate, and cacao that come from the native Americas. It is a bold statement that Latins also belong in the Crossroads, with their artistic talents and rich culture.
“It has been way more difficult than we ever imagined, trying to open in the Crossroads. Feeling like outsiders within an area of the city that was not so long ago predominately Hispanic and part of the Westside neighborhood,” said Curtis. Problems with the city responding in a timely manner created a money pit during buildout, which wasn’t easy. Like many Latinos, they don't come from generational wealth, or any wealth at all other than cultural wealth, which made this year-long buildout particularly trying.
“Our cultures have always had to be strong to withstand adversity, poverty, and racism in America, so we have worked very hard to remain focused and continue moving forward. Our name, Corazón, was chosen because of the strength within our culture to persevere through hard work without any recognition,” stated Curtis.
They built the first location with hopes that Kanas City would share their desire to to connect with another side of Latin culture. Through the design of the cafes, they were able to build a community that is a reflection of who they are. Unable to find banks that would give them loans, they had to build out both locations with materials that most people would throw out. This is part of our culture as well– use what you have when the money is not there. Curtis did construction before making his move into the coffee scene, so his ability to do the buildout on his own with mostly found objects isn’t a surprise at either location.
Be sure to come admire their handiwork for yourself– both through the setting and the food & drink, whether at the original location or the new storefront opening in February.
“We allow our drinks to speak for themselves by giving them a voice that reflect the hands that have grown and picked the coffee beans and yerba mate,” Miel added. Another big point of bragging rights for Kansas Citians? Café Corazón is the only yerba mate cafe between the two coasts. In Kansas City, which is constantly trying to catch trends, this is a huge deal!
The Herrera’s pride themselves on training baristas who create drinks that are unique and special, and making the customer feel welcomed, just as if you were at your Abuela’s (grandmother’s) home. Having a uniquely Latinx experience you will not receive at most Americanized coffee shops is what Café Corazón Westport and, soon, Café Corazón Crossroads, specializes in.
