Former Starbucks Employees Open Dura Coffee After Store Closure

From Layoffs to Entrepreneurship

• 💡 Five former Starbucks employees in Mid-City were given just two days' notice before their store closed.
• 🚀 Instead of despair, this enthusiastic group of twenty-somethings quickly decided to brew up their own coffee concept.
• 🤝 They aimed to reunite their community and create something entirely new after losing their previous jobs and community hub.

Launching Dura Coffee

• ☕ Dura Coffee, located just blocks from their former Starbucks, offers the creative freedom they lacked in a corporate setting.
• 🌍 The owners are passionate about incorporating their diverse cultural heritages into their offerings, creating unique drinks.
• 🍹 Examples include the Ube Latte, representing Filipino heritage, and the Mama's Latte, made with Mexican chocolate.

A New Venture with a Familiar Face

• 🍰 The space for Dura Coffee was previously occupied by New York Cake Pops, owned by Larita Moika.
• 🤝 Faced with rising property taxes, Moika was on the verge of closing until the aspiring coffee shop owners approached her about selling her cake pops.
• 🤝 This led to a quick partnership, with Moika keeping her baking business (Larry Bakes) while the friends launched their coffee shop within the same space.

Community Support and Future Vision

• 🌟 Regulars from the old Starbucks have already begun following them to Dura Coffee, helping to recreate their former community.
• 💖 The name 'Dura' signifies strength, symbolizing their resilience in picking themselves up and launching a new venture.
• 📈 Although they lack experience in owning a business, their attitude embodies strength and a commitment to moving forward.
• ✅ Dura Coffee is open seven days a week, from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm, offering custom items and a welcoming atmosphere.