Hidden Gems: Meet Charleen Ramirez-Mares of La Brewjula Cafe

Today we’d like to introduce you to Charleen Ramirez-Mares

Hi Charleen, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am an educator by trade, I worked in schools from the time I was in high school until 2022. Most of my professional career was spent as a teacher and the principal of La Academia, a small independent school in West Denver. After the school closed in 2017, I transitioned to Girls Inc. of Metro Denver and stayed there through the pandemic and then left to work at a high school in Aurora. The stint in Aurora was very short lived, I found my way back to Girls Inc. and eventually took over their social enterprise, Strong Smart and Bold Beans, the coffee shop that is now La Brewjula.

Even though I worked as an educator for many years, I always dreamed of owning a coffee shop. So, when the opportunity to take over Bold Beans came up, I jumped at the chance. Bold Beans closed in April 2024 and La Brewjula Cafe opened in May 2024. My daughter, Citlali, and I run the shop. It is a two-person operation, and we have a great time!

Unless you are corporate coffee chain you are not going to get rich selling coffee, so to generate more revenue I also do some catering. I was able to obtain a culinary certificate after COVID and a space at a commissary kitchen to cook for both the coffee shop and my catering jobs.

My goal is to provide a space that is welcoming, and that people want to return to, I hope to be able to extend my hours to include at least one late night a month to provide a safe sober space for anyone looking for a place to chill without the pressure of drinking.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Luckily, because I took over an existing coffee shop and ran it for two years, it was easier for me than for most people who want to start a small business. There were still some challenges, obtaining a business license in Denver is not the easiest process, but it was worth the trouble.

The main struggle of any small business is building a loyal customer base. People have a million choices when it comes to where to get their coffee, so we have to work to ensure that if people come in, they feel appreciated and valued. My daughter and I work hard to provide excellent customer service, and it is made easier because we love what we do and the customers we serve. We have also worked hard to build our social media presence; in this day and age your Instagram page is everything!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I think what sets us apart is that we work really hard to make sure we are providing an excellent product and service. We are always looking for ways to partner with other small businesses in our community. For example, we get our coffee from Mi Gente Cofffee Company, a micro-roaster in Denver. The owner, Esteban, is also an educator and we have similar values. We also recently partnered with Tahlia’s Challah, they are our neighbors and bake the most delicious challah in town!

Any big plans?
There is a lot of new development in our neighborhood, so hopefully I can extend my hours and offer more community- centered events. The ultimate goal is to open up a second location in Westwood, a neighborhood that is near and dear to my heart.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/labrewjula/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556752326955