The Beginning
After his time with the CCC, my grandfather opened a bar called The Red Top Bar in Tampa alongside his brother in his early twenties. But after a few years in business, the two decided to sell the bar. My grandfather then made his way to New York City and worked as a waiter at The Aquarium Restaurant during the time Café Bustelo was becoming the brand of choice among espresso lovers. It was in New York that he met his two loves, my grandmother Dorothy and Bustelo Coffee.
After his time with the CCC, my grandfather opened a bar called The Red Top Bar in Tampa alongside his brother in his early twenties. But after a few years in business, the two decided to sell the bar. My grandfather then made his way to New York City and worked as a waiter at The Aquarium Restaurant during the time Café Bustelo was becoming the brand of choice among espresso lovers. It was in New York that he met his loves, my grandmother Dorothy and Bustelo Coffee.
Though my grandfather didn’t know much about the coffee industry, he sure knew how to drink his espresso--and claimed Café Bustelo to be the best coffee in New York. Little did he know however, that a trip back home to Florida would change his life forever.
During a visit in Miami with his beloved sister Mary (who was gravely ill) my grandfather spoke with great enthusiasm about the bustling coffee scene in New York City, particularly East Harlem (which was also known as El Barrio). In response, she complained about how difficult it was to grab a good cup of espresso in Miami. And with those simple words, an idea was born--why not open a coffee business?
From the Big Apple To Sunny MIA
In due time, my grandfather made his way back to New York with the Café Bustelo espresso on his mind, hustled to meet with the one and only Gregorio Bustelo (the founder of Café Bustelo) to pitch the idea of opening a franchise in Miami . After much negotiation and planning, with Mr. Bustleo’s good graces my grandfather obtained a franchise from the parent company in New York, moved his young family, and opened a new consumer market in Miami in 1949.
The Early Years
During the franchise’s early years, my grandfather operated business out of a store front in Downtown Miami under the name "M.P. Garcia Café Bustelo." The company served custom ground American and Espresso styled coffee to walk in patrons and coffee was sold from Key West to Tampa, FL. It was also during this time that the company began roasting, grinding, and packaging coffee in house.
In efforts to expand the franchise,my grandfather took on a business partner by the name of Antonio J. Fernandez, a Cuban-American, and together they moved the operation to a much larger location on 700 NE 1st Ave. in 1954. The new plant was called M.P. Garcia and Co. Café Bustelo.
Expansion
After some time, the M.P. Garcia and Co. Café Bustelo plant was moved to a more industrial location on NW 74th Street in efforts to expand the growing operation and business blossomed throughout the 1950’s. The company served local grocery stores and restaurants through designated coffee stands and coffee samples were dispensed from the backs of station wagons. Café Bustelo even made appearances at local markets and fairs through designated coffee stands. Moving into the early 60’s, business thrived exponentially due to the influx of Cuban immigrants in South Florida.
Eventually, Mr. Fernandez decided that he wanted to retire from the business. Resultantly, the two collectively decided to sell the franchise to Beech-Nut, a division of Tetley Inc. in 1969. The franchise however retained the title M.P. Garcia and Co. Cafe Bustelo and my grandfather continued to work for the franchise as General Manager until he retired in 1983.
As a result of the passionate and tenacious efforts of all involved, the Café Bustelo brand’s popularity exists beyond “El Barrio” and sustains a revering legacy for generations to come. In essence, Café Bustelo is more than just a coffee brand, but a beacon of possibility—a demonstration of what can become of one’s dreams, determination, and innovations.
Retirement
No matter when or where, a sip of Café Bustelo will always serve as a savory reminiscence of not only my heritage, but also the merits of self-made and collaborative opportunity.