Centro isn’t a coffee shop, it’s a coffee home
Centro on the Drag has quickly become a beloved study spot for University of Texas students, but its story began much earlier — inside a coffee shop in Mexico City, where two strangers met over a cup of coffee they would build their lives around.
Erick Canales and Ana Cuellar met in the heart of their community in Mexico, at a café where coffee was more than just caffeine. Erick, then 16, ordered a drip coffee while Ana, 14, sipped on a sweet latte with whipped cream. At a crowded table in Gloria Jean’s Coffees, they sat with a group of friends, never thinking how their new friendship would lead to love. It was a simple interaction that inspired them to replicate their experience for others 29 years later in Austin.
In Latin American cultures, freshly brewed pots are paired with conversation and indulged in the morning, afternoon and night by adults and kids alike. People will have long, lingering talks over coffee called sobremesas, or “over the table” conversations. Erick and Ana are certainly no different. The coffee which brought them together has led to marriage, two kids and two businesses for the couple. Now, they are bringing that same sense of sobremesa to Guadalupe Street.
Small businesses in West Campus — a neighborhood right next to UT campus — are built entirely on the support of their residents. Entering a tight community such as this one can present a challenge. Centro is not the only coffee shop on its block, either — Starbucks, Medici and Lucky Lab are each a walking distance away. But what keeps customers coming back and quickly building loyalty is Centro’s inherently magnetic nature.
When you visit Centro for the first time, Ana will take your order and ask for your name. She’ll write down everything, from milks and syrups to espresso shots. Then, she’ll send your order back with a smile, welcome you to the space and have it ready on the counter within moments. From that point on, Ana will remember your name and your order every time you return.
She has a talent for seeing people. As a psychologist, she can’t help but notice the details comprising a person, even down to their coffee order. Ana also knows that it’s not just coffee.
Because of Centro’s student-friendly location, she knows many customers are seeking a safe space to either study or unwind. This is why every morning while opening, she handwrites positive messages on the plastic beverage cups. No matter who walks through the shop’s front door, Ana wants to make a difference in their day — long after they finish their drink. “Writing messages for our customers makes my day a little better, too,” said Ana.
Centro translates to “hub” in Spanish, a very intentional move on the part of its owners. Erick describes the shop as more than just a place to grab coffee as part of a daily routine — it’s a study lounge, a first-date spot, or a place to meet friends.
“Tables used to have four chairs for groups to sit and talk to one another, but now customers sit alone. People don’t talk to each other at coffee shops anymore. We wanted to bring that experience to a new generation,” Erick said.
Erick is a self-proclaimed coffee nerd. A lifelong consumer, he developed a particular interest in the study of what truly makes a quality latte when he worked as a barista in Yucatán. He took courses explaining the grinding and roasting process for the beans, various kinds of espresso shots and beyond. It’s not only an interest for him, but a driving force in his life. Erick was born in Colombia but grew up in Dayton, Ohio, later moving to Mexico as his father was transferred for work quite often. No matter where he was, coffee followed.
“I really started loving coffee, so much that I studied it. But it wasn’t until way later that we thought of opening a coffee shop,” said Erick.
Erick spent summer and winter breaks at UT while his cousins were students, which left him with a soft spot for Austin. He left his work at a consulting firm to pursue opening a business with his wife to give back to this special community. The couple tried their hand at opening a restaurant first but felt unfulfilled; the pace and nature of the food industry left them wanting more. The strain was too much not only as a business, but as a family. They decided to put their passions together and do something different.
“We talked about what we each love. I love coffee and she loves uplifting people, and that’s when we came up with Centro,” Erick shared.
Operating a small, family-owned business can be tiring. Erick and Ana always hope their hard work sets a good example for their kids, who have learned to help their parents open the shop in the morning and close it up at night. Work often comes home with them and they have had their share of obstacles — but above all, the joys of the job are the main takeaway. As they work their hardest to brighten the days of their customers, Centro regulars come right back to brighten theirs.
Next time you’re on Guad, pop in to meet the couple running your local café. Order a specialty latte, an agua fresca, or a tea. Grab a bagel for the road, or stay to enjoy an arepa. There is something for everyone on the menu at Centro, where you are sure to feel at home no matter where you’re from. Ana’s big heart pairs with Erick’s wealth of coffee knowledge to create something special — something you can both feel and taste when you visit their love letter to coffee and to each other, right in the heart of Austin.