When Margarita Cleves’s student visa was denied to continue with her degree as an industrial engineer, a different opportunity took its place. Though owning a coffee shop was not her initial plan, the opportunity seemingly fell in her lap when she decided to leave Colombia to become an entrepreneur.
How it happened
Following her brother Juan Cleves's footsteps as he prepared to open his own cafe, P&P Desserts and Coffee, Margarita Cleves decided to open her own coffee shop and named it after herself on Feb. 22, 2024.
Tucked in the Cypress Center next to an African market and tire shop, Margarita Cleves said at the time the location seemed ideal.
“In Colombia there is always a cafe near a car dealership or tire shop to offer customers a place to wait for their car services,” Margarita Cleves said.
Originally from Colombia, Margarita Cleves opened her own coffee shop in Feb. 2024. (Jovanna Aguilar/Community Impact)
Although the cafe did not bring in as many of the customers as she expected from the tire shop, the cafe quickly filled up with locals in search of a space to gather and connect through Colombian coffee.
With little knowledge on coffee, Margarita Cleves said she took a course where she gained the knowledge needed to start crafting her own coffee recipes. Today she operates Margarita’s in the Cy-Fair area and has taken over her brother's former cafe on Barker Cypress Road, which she has converted to the second location of Margarita’s Coffee.
The turkey, pesto and cheese panini ($6.70) is a favorite on the menu. (Jovanna Aguilar/Community Impact)
What's special about it?
Offering various drinks made with medium roast coffee sourced from Colombia, Margarita’s Coffee offers a balanced flavor of coffee. However Margarita Cleves said it is not the coffee that keeps customers coming back.
“More than coffee, what matters to me is how you are doing and ensuring every customer feels seen,” Margarita Cleves said.
With a focus on authentic customer service, Cleves said although she came to the United States not knowing a soul, through her coffee shop she has gained endless friendships and connects with people daily.
As the cafe gained popularity, it has increased its menu options to include homemade arepas made by Margarita Cleves’s sister, homemade tamales, savory and sweet crepes and lunch sandwiches.
Margarita's offers sweet crepes including dulce de leche, strawberry and banana crepes ($8.25). (Jovanna Aguilar/Community Impact)
The cafe also offers cocktails such as espresso martinis, mojitos and moscow mules. Margarita Cleves said she plans to add more cocktails to the menu early this year.
With an ambiance filled with live plants, the Colombian cafe tries to honor roots and memory while embracing a laid back present.
