Mi Cafecito serves Sabor, Cultura, y Comunidad
By Ashly Lopez, March 24 2026
On a corner near the downtown Pomona Metro Link station lies Mi Cafecito, a Mexican-American-owned cafe that’s Instagram proclaims is “Mucho mas que un cafe,” which translates to “We are more than just coffee.”
From outside, the faint music of Paquita del barrio plays, and traditional mosaic tables line the storefront windows. From the moment the door swings open, the scent of cinnamon and freshly roasted coffee grounds greets customers, and pan dulce sugar dusted conchas, flakey layered croissants and crisp orejas line the bakery display.
Juan and Paola Vega, a husband-and-wife duo, opened Mi Cafecito on a whim back in 2016. Juan dropped out of culinary school and wanted to redefine himself outside of academics, and Paola was looking for a way to become a business owner.
To the couple’s surprise, according to Juan Vega, they settled on selling coffee. The only problem was neither had any experience in that field. Together they traveled Mexico learning the art of making cafecito.
“We didn’t know that our passion for humanity would lead us here,” Juan Vega said “We started during a time when ‘build the wall’ is one of the things you heard the most. It frustrated me. We didn’t even have a name for the shop yet, I get emotional talking about it, but we knew this business needed to represent our culture.”
The 2016 election of Presdient Donald J. Trump and the administration’s rhetoric against immigrants sparked a determination in them to create a space that represented the Latinx community and lead by example that businesses rooted in values and culture could exist and succeed.
“My dad owned a tortilleria, and he ended up buying the whole block and creating a community market,” Juan Vega said. “Anyone that came to this country and visited that market, whether you needed support, family, to get a job and honestly sometimes a place to live. This is what my culture stands for.”
The couple said those early experiences shaped the vision behind their business. They aimed to create a place that reflects the support systems they saw growing up, while also providing opportunities for the people who work alongside them.
Back in the states, it was the help from both their fathers that brought their dream to reality.
“Sorry, I get emotional,” Paola Vega said. “When we talk about Latinos and most of our parents that came here with very little, it makes me proud to see where my dad is at now. A huge sense of our community mentality comes from our dads because that was my father-in-law. He would dress up every holiday and give back to kidsand my dad has been in the personal growth seminar business serving Latino communities all these years.”
According to a study done by Stanford’s School of Business, the number of Latino businesses has grown between 2018 and 2023. The survey found that there was a 43% increase, in comparison to white owned businesses which saw a decline, indicating a steady rise in Latin entrepreneurship.
The business has 1,200 reviews with a 4.7 star rating on Yelp and even Pomona Mayor Tim Sandoval is a regular. Their culture driven menu highlights immigrant excellence.
“My business partner is a coffee lover and introduced me to it,” said Louis Tello, a Pomona resident and customer of Mi Cafecito. “I really enjoyed the MochaMexicana. What stood out to me was the attention to detail in every step they took to make my coffee and how delicious it was, also the Hispanic influence throughout the store.”
Mi Cafecito’s coffee is imported from various countries like Mexico, Guatemala, Brazil, Colombia and even Africa. Juan Vega and Paola Vega pride themselves in sourcing most of their produce like A2 grade milk from Zak’s farms, honey from Flores Farms, and strawberries from Family farms, from Pomona, Chino and Brea.
The most famous ingredient, however, is the in-house vanilla syrup, made with Madagascar vanilla bean paste, demerara, water, and lemon curated by Juan Vega. It’sso popular they sell it by the jar.
Ritchie Samayoa, a CPP student enrolled in the teaching credential program, said as a Latino man, he’s conscious about spending his money on businesses that are both good in service and flavor and also ones that align with his values and principles.
“I drive out of my way to come here, not just for the really good coffee, but for everything they stand for,” Samayoa said. “I even stopped shopping at Home Depot because of the funding they provided the Trump administration. I want my money to support something I believe in, especially now.”
From outside the cafe to various corners inside, signage read “Ice out of Pomona” and “Know your Rights against ICE.” In the past they have also sold T-shirts with a message reading, “Coffee is an Immigrant.”
During a time when national conversations around Immigration and ICE are heightened, store owners Paola and Juan said they feel it all accurately reflects their vision and values.
“There will always be opposing thoughts,” Juan Vega said. “There’s been challenges with not saying enough or speaking out too much and one of the things that we always want to remain true to is speaking up for human kindness, for being peaceful and how we would like to be treated as well.”
For now, Paola and Juan are looking forward to their spring menu rollout, which will feature drinks made with Family Farm strawberries.
Feature image courtesy of Ashly Lopez