Ella Coffee offers indoor and outdoor seating. (Roo Moody/Community Impact)
Back in Italy, Laura Marino ran her own coffee and wine shop, and now, because of a new partnership between Ella Coffee and Simone on Sunset, she has brought her expertise to West University Place.
The backstory
Ella Coffee first started in 2021 as a mobile coffee shop in Buffalo Bayou Park. Marino said a year after opening, she decided to start experimenting with roasting her own beans, which later became a staple of the brand.
Marino also said the brand’s emphasis on quality products, community and customer service is what made a difference in Ella Coffee’s success.
So, after four years of operating as a mobile truck, Ella Coffee moved out of the park and signed a lease in West U.
How it works
After its first lease in West U was finished, Ella Coffee partnered with wine bar Simone on Sunset.
In March, the coffee shop relocated inside the wine bar, and the two now operate at separate hours; Ella Coffee serves pastries and beverages from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., before Simone on Sunset opens at 4 p.m.
“I think Laura’s the best, not because she's my friend, but because I work with her and there's a client who says she can change your morning,” said Elena Di Stefano, general manager of Simone on Sunset.
Laura Marino and her employee, Raina, outside Ella Coffee. (Roo Moody/Community Impact)
What they offer
At Ella Coffee, customers can enjoy Italian coffee, seasonal drinks, teas, breakfast tacos and small bites for lunch.
Marino said The Lizzy is one of the most popular drinks, offering an aesthetic twist on a tiramisu latte. The coffee shop also sells its signature blend with beans imported from Guatemala in a 12-ounce bag for $20 or a 2-pound bag for $38.
About a year ago, Marino said she sold her mobile truck to another couple looking to start a similar concept. She was happy to help them and offer advice, just as she had been helped when she started in Houston.
“Community is the best way to help each other, and that’s what happened between us,” Marino said about her partnering with Di Stefano and Simone on Sunset.
