SOME NEW STOMPING GROUNDS
Mixed Grounds Coffee on Imperial in Logan Heights aims to be community gathering spot, art and event venue
“They felt out of place, even though they lived here, so we wanted to make it a space for everybody.” Kwa Nguyen • Co-owner
After closing its doors for nearly two years, a coffee shop in Logan Heights is getting a second life under new owners who plan to make it a hub for artists and community members.
Located along busy Imperial Avenue, Mixed Grounds Coffee reopened its doors in March after closing in late 2019 when it was called Imperial Grounds.
New co-owners and brothers, Kwa Nguyen and Quoc Nguyen, teamed up with property owner Cuong Nguyen, who is not related to the brothers.
They reopened the coffee shop because they felt it was a missing piece in the community, they said.
They want it to host community events, art sales and food vendors, as well as sell a variety of coffees as diverse as the neighborhood. The drinks include Vietnamese coffee, Aztec mochas, and the Horchata Iced Latte, a drink inspired by the popular Mexican rice milk drink.
Mixed Grounds is covered in colorful murals. Kwa Nguyen, who also owns Fresh Yard, a clothing brand and store in North Park, said he wants to incorporate hip-hop and street culture vibes into the coffee shop, while making sure community members feel comfortable there.
“I’m hearing a lot of people saying they didn’t feel comfortable coming here (before). They felt out of place, even though they lived here, so we wanted to make it a space for everybody,” Kwa Nguyen said.
Imperial Grounds was open for about three years.
“We didn’t want to just come in and just be like, ‘hey it’s a cool coffee shop’ and not incorporate the community,” Kwa Nguyen said. “We hired from the community.”
The brothers began renovating the shop two years ago, but the pandemic slowed down construction and pushed their opening date to 2021.
The building has space for indoor and outdoor seating and a room that can serve as gallery and event space. The gallery will feature art and will host yoga classes every month.
There are three large photos of Lo
A Customs and Border Protection officer in Imperial County has been charged in federal court on accusations he used unreasonable force on someone who had applied gan Heights community members, a project by local artist John Raymond Mireles that documented the daily lives of Logan Heights residents.
Logan Heights resident Tonii Berber, who works at the coffee shop, said it’s nice to have a coffee shop in the community again. She said people often go to large coffee chains such as Starbucks because there were no other options, but it’s better to support a small business that offers specialty coffee.
Berber and España Garcia-Feucht, coffee shop manager, were busy behind the counter Thursday morning helping customers. for admission into the U.S. from Mexico.
Officer Marcos Valenzuela, 29, was arraigned Wednesday in San Diego federal court, the San Diego U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a news release Wednesday.
The incident happened
Garcia-Feucht said new customers often ask for regular coffee, but she likes to suggest specialty drinks to introduce them to new coffee options.
Aug. 16, 2019, at the Calexico West Port of Entry.
It’s not entirely clear what transpired. The indictment has been unsealed, but it did not provide details.
Federal prosecutors said Valenzuela was on duty when he encountered the
“A neighborhood like this ... everyone deserves access to quality coffee and art,” Garcia-Feucht said. “I feel the person. “During the course of the inspection, Valenzuela allegedly deprived the individual of the Constitutional right not to be subjected to unreasonable force,” the release states. space is for everyone.”
Kwa Nguyen said the coffee shop is a great addition to the Imperial Avenue corridor which leads to other communities.
Cuong Nguyen said residents have responded well to the coffee shop’s new look. And because he owns the property, that creates a sense of stability for the gallery and coffee shop.
“That’s the most exciting part, knowing that we will be here for the long run for the community and neighborhood,” Cuong Nguyen said.
The shop’s official grand opening Sunday at 10 a.m. will include art on display by local artists, live music and barbecue by Barrelman BBQ.