The Voice talks to Martin Mayorga
by Seth Grimes
Mayorga Coffee plans to open a new Takoma Metro location on January 25. The site, at 314 Carroll Street, NW in Washington, DC, is directly across from the Takoma Metrorail station. It formerly housed the Drifting Nomad coffee shop, which closed in November. In December, Mayorga closed its own South Silver Spring location, where sales suffered after nearby construction eliminated parking and deterred visitors, according to the company.
Takoma DC resident Alice Giancola says she is "very excited about Mayorga's moving to the DC commercial strip... Because of [their] welcoming atmosphere and good service, they will be warmly received here." Takoma Park resident Anne LeVeque says, "I love Mayorga! Beyond serving the best coffee ever, they are supportive of the community." As for Jill Gay, "I am thrilled Mayorga will be part of our Takoma Park community."
The new Takoma outlet will offer coffee beverages, fresh baked pastries, and whole bean coffee roasted at Mayorga's Rockville facility, according the Mayorga's Web site.
The Voice reached out to Martin Mayorga to learn more.
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by Seth Grimes
Mayorga Coffee plans to open a new Takoma Metro location on January 25. The site, at 314 Carroll Street, NW in Washington, DC, is directly across from the Takoma Metrorail station. It formerly housed the Drifting Nomad coffee shop, which closed in November. In December, Mayorga closed its own South Silver Spring location, where sales suffered after nearby construction eliminated parking and deterred visitors, according to the company.
Takoma DC resident Alice Giancola says she is "very excited about Mayorga's moving to the DC commercial strip... Because of [their] welcoming atmosphere and good service, they will be warmly received here." Takoma Park resident Anne LeVeque says, "I love Mayorga! Beyond serving the best coffee ever, they are supportive of the community." As for Jill Gay, "I am thrilled Mayorga will be part of our Takoma Park community."
The new Takoma outlet will offer coffee beverages, fresh baked pastries, and whole bean coffee roasted at Mayorga's Rockville facility, according the Mayorga's Web site.
The Voice reached out to Martin Mayorga to learn more.
Voice: Why did you choose the Takoma Metro location? Did it win out over other locations you were considering for your next outlet?
MM: Just at the time when we were making the final decision to close our Silver Spring location, I received an e-mail message from Roz Grigsby from the Old Takoma Business Association. She indicated that the old Savory location [at Carroll and Columbia Avenues in Old Takoma] was available and that a Mayorga would be a good fit there. Although I was already familiar with the site, I scheduled a visit to take a look at it and meet the building owner.
During that visit, I realized that to succeed in that space, we would need to do a lot of foods items, which is not our strong suit. I then asked about other, smaller spaces with more foot traffic and was told that the old Drifting Nomad site had just become available.
We had also looked at 4-5 other options in Silver Spring, but realized that the Carroll Avenue site was clearly the most efficient move and that we would be a great fit for the neighborhood.
Voice: Were any individuals or organizations particularly helpful in bringing you to the new location?
Obviously Roz Grigsby from the Old Takoma Business Association, who initially reached out to us. She answered a lot of questions about what has taken place with business in Takoma Park in the last 5-7 years. Also, [Takoma Park City Council Member] Josh Wright and [OTBA President] Pennye Jones-Napier, who were very forthcoming with information regarding Takoma Park and the needs of the community.
Voice: Will the Takoma location sell food or anything beyond coffee and other non-alcoholic drinks? Will you do catering (coffee, etc.) out of the Takoma store?
MM: We'll be offering high-end pastries from Baguette Republic and possibly some of their sandwiches and salads. Due to comments that we've received from residents, we will also be adding some vegan items. We will definitely offer catering of our coffee and pastry items.
Voice: What are the planned operating hours?
MM: We are still working on that! I can confidently say that we'll open early on weekdays--probably at 6:00 am. Beyond that, we're still taking input from the community before determining set hours.
Voice: Will the Takoma location have free Wi-Fi or other amenities for customers?
MM: There will be free Wi-Fi offered there. We will also be introducing our French Press coffee service at that location and are planning coffee tastings.
Voice: Are you planning anything special for the January 25th opening?
MM: Definitely. On January 25th to January 27th, we will not be charging for any coffee drinks. We will have extra management staff on hand to talk to members of the community and listen suggestions to how we can be a positive addition to the neighborhood.
Mayorga will join other new businesses that have chosen to open in Old Takoma's business district, which stretches from 4th Street NW in Washington DC to Takoma Junction, where Carroll and Ethan Allen Avenues intersect. They include My Little Bistro and the Cedar Crossing Tavern and Wine Bar, which opened in November on Cedar Street NW near the Takoma Metro station, and a hardware store planned for the former Taliano's site at 7001-3 Carroll Avenue in Takoma Park, slated to open in the spring.
Community efforts to attract new tenants to other vacant commercial spaces have continued. According to OTBA Executive Director Roz Grigsby, Old Takoma's "distinctive community identity, engaged, active population, and strong local support for independent businesses" are a draw for many businesses. With the former Savory building on Carroll Avenue foremost in mind, Grigsby says the business association has reached out to "a number of Washington-area restaurateurs and encouraged them to consider expanding to the Old Takoma area. Residents can help by mentioning to their favorite businesses in other parts of DC that Takoma Park might be a good second location, if they're considering expanding."
As for South Silver Spring, residents will not be coffee-less in the wake of the closing of Mayorga's Georgia Avenue store. Moorenko's Ice Cream Cafe, located across Silver Spring's Arts Alley from the old Mayorga location, is now opening weekdays at 7 am, weekend days at 8 am, selling Mayorga coffee and breakfast pastries in addition to hand-crafted ice cream.
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MM: Just at the time when we were making the final decision to close our Silver Spring location, I received an e-mail message from Roz Grigsby from the Old Takoma Business Association. She indicated that the old Savory location [at Carroll and Columbia Avenues in Old Takoma] was available and that a Mayorga would be a good fit there. Although I was already familiar with the site, I scheduled a visit to take a look at it and meet the building owner.
During that visit, I realized that to succeed in that space, we would need to do a lot of foods items, which is not our strong suit. I then asked about other, smaller spaces with more foot traffic and was told that the old Drifting Nomad site had just become available.
We had also looked at 4-5 other options in Silver Spring, but realized that the Carroll Avenue site was clearly the most efficient move and that we would be a great fit for the neighborhood.
Voice: Were any individuals or organizations particularly helpful in bringing you to the new location?
Obviously Roz Grigsby from the Old Takoma Business Association, who initially reached out to us. She answered a lot of questions about what has taken place with business in Takoma Park in the last 5-7 years. Also, [Takoma Park City Council Member] Josh Wright and [OTBA President] Pennye Jones-Napier, who were very forthcoming with information regarding Takoma Park and the needs of the community.
Voice: Will the Takoma location sell food or anything beyond coffee and other non-alcoholic drinks? Will you do catering (coffee, etc.) out of the Takoma store?
MM: We'll be offering high-end pastries from Baguette Republic and possibly some of their sandwiches and salads. Due to comments that we've received from residents, we will also be adding some vegan items. We will definitely offer catering of our coffee and pastry items.
Voice: What are the planned operating hours?
MM: We are still working on that! I can confidently say that we'll open early on weekdays--probably at 6:00 am. Beyond that, we're still taking input from the community before determining set hours.
Voice: Will the Takoma location have free Wi-Fi or other amenities for customers?
MM: There will be free Wi-Fi offered there. We will also be introducing our French Press coffee service at that location and are planning coffee tastings.
Voice: Are you planning anything special for the January 25th opening?
MM: Definitely. On January 25th to January 27th, we will not be charging for any coffee drinks. We will have extra management staff on hand to talk to members of the community and listen suggestions to how we can be a positive addition to the neighborhood.
Mayorga will join other new businesses that have chosen to open in Old Takoma's business district, which stretches from 4th Street NW in Washington DC to Takoma Junction, where Carroll and Ethan Allen Avenues intersect. They include My Little Bistro and the Cedar Crossing Tavern and Wine Bar, which opened in November on Cedar Street NW near the Takoma Metro station, and a hardware store planned for the former Taliano's site at 7001-3 Carroll Avenue in Takoma Park, slated to open in the spring.
Community efforts to attract new tenants to other vacant commercial spaces have continued. According to OTBA Executive Director Roz Grigsby, Old Takoma's "distinctive community identity, engaged, active population, and strong local support for independent businesses" are a draw for many businesses. With the former Savory building on Carroll Avenue foremost in mind, Grigsby says the business association has reached out to "a number of Washington-area restaurateurs and encouraged them to consider expanding to the Old Takoma area. Residents can help by mentioning to their favorite businesses in other parts of DC that Takoma Park might be a good second location, if they're considering expanding."
As for South Silver Spring, residents will not be coffee-less in the wake of the closing of Mayorga's Georgia Avenue store. Moorenko's Ice Cream Cafe, located across Silver Spring's Arts Alley from the old Mayorga location, is now opening weekdays at 7 am, weekend days at 8 am, selling Mayorga coffee and breakfast pastries in addition to hand-crafted ice cream.
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