Lowriders lined the street while baristas and business owners worked non-stop through the busy grand opening of Esquina Vintage and Coffee in National City on Sunday, located at 640 National City Blvd.
They planned on opening their doors at 10 a.m., but by 8:30 a.m. a line was already forming outside, and by 2:30 p.m. they were sold out of nearly everything, 49-year-old Esquina Vintage and Coffee co-owner Fabian Gil said.
“It’s a really cool feeling to know that you can change the community by opening a business and making it a hub for people to come together and help each other,” Gil said.
Inside, vintage car memorabilia and car parts cover the walls — a reflection of a shared passion between Gil and co-owners Rene Acevedo, 36, and Alberto Castañeda, 34, who are all a part of the San Diego chapter of Viejitos Car Club, an international car club.
At the coffee shop, customers can purchase vintage auto accessories and collectables and Esquina Vintage and Coffee t-shirts made by NowOrNvr, a National City based clothing brand. City Finest Barber Supply and Ace Keys and Locks are also local businesses that will have their own retail space in the building.
Gil said they aim to create a space in National City that blends their passions for cars and coffee, while centering their community. They plan to hire people within the community and get involved with local charity drives and community events in the future to give back.
“We started this project as a community based project, a business that was strictly catered to the community. Everything, or a lot of the revenue, is being turned around to things for the community,” Gil said.
Esquina Vintage and Coffee owners also want to feature art by local artists and photographers on their walls to help them make local connections, and encourage anyone that is interested to reach out to them.
“I think without the community support we don’t exist. It’s all about the community, we can’t do without the community support,” Gil said.
The Esquina Vintage and Coffee menu features a variety of drinks including but not limited to cold brew coffee and café de olla, traditional Mexican coffee made with cinnamon and orange peel.
They also sell Mexican pastries, hot chocolate, kombucha and ginger cucumber lemonade. Any of their hot drinks can also be made iced.
Esquina Vintage and Coffee is currently open from 6 a.m. to noon and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. everyday, but their hours are subject to change as their business grows, according to Gil.
To stay updated on Esquina Vintage & Coffee developments and changes to their hours, follow @esquinavintageandcofee on Instagram.
“When people are telling you ‘thank you, we needed this,’ that inspires you, you know I’m a little tired but all the great people that show up… it’s really rewarding,” Gil said.
