Business & Tech

South Gate's Tierra Mia Coffee Opening Location in Echo Park

Roaster Tierra Mia picks up the keys Thursday night to a new location in Echo Park.

It was a little over a year ago that the Diaz brothers arrived in Echo Park to remake the stalwart Downbeat Cafe on Alvarado Street.

Sergio and Cesar took their time. They were sensitive to the area's attitudes about change.

They didn't change their name to "Echo Lake Coffee" for a while, and only posted an awning with the name in August.

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Now comes this news, Echo Park Coffee Company will close on Thursday.

And starting Friday morning, Tierra Mia, another boutique coffee purveyor, takes over. 

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Ulysses Romero, founder and owner, told us in an email that he signed a lease on the Echo Lake space at 1202 Alvardo Street Wednesday.

He said he's picking up the keys Thursday night. Renovations begin Friday and Romero says he'll pretty much be on site seven days a week until the place re-opens as the sixth Tierra Mia location.

Tierra Mia started in South Gate in 2008. The roaster and purveyor of Latin-style coffees has slowly worked its way north, most recently coming to Downtown Los Angeles at 653 Spring St. 

Tierra Mia's Web site says the company does its own roasting and baking. It also mentions that it strives to provide a setting that is "comfortable, contemporary, and highly reflective of Latin American culture."

We like that. We also like Romero says he's friendly with Angel Orozco of Cafecito Organico, another Latin-influenced coffee roaster that's had a postive impact on the neighborhoods it serves.

Tierra faces some competition nearby in Stories, Taza, the Hedgehog and Pazzo Gelato, all just a few blocks on either side along Sunset. 

Nearby business owners are watching carefully too. They know their foot traffic is helped when coffee drinkers come and spend time in the area.

It will be interesting to see how Tierra Mia carves out its own niche, but the Latin-inspired food and drink seems one way to do it.

Tierra's arrival also reminds us how full circle Echo Park has come, already.

It wasn't too long ago that Cuban gentlemen were drinking coffee in what is now Masa of Echo Park. 

Click through to read more about Tierra Mia.

And see Echo Lake's goodbye letter in the gallery above.


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