Why a New Austin Vegan Coffee Shop Decided to Open During Coronavirus | Eater Austin

"Opened April 4 during the COVID-19 pandemic, this vegan cafe and creative community space in Central East Austin is operating contactless pick-ups at 1212 Chicon Street and offering free neighborhood delivery while exploring a partnership with Grubhub. Co-owners Amalia Litsa and Joshua Adrian invested heavily to launch despite pandemic uncertainty, accepting short-term losses and loan payments and being ineligible for most COVID-19 relief because the business had not been open a year prior. The to-go–focused menu features coffee and loose-leaf tea, baked goods from vegan bakery Celeste’s Best, doughnuts from Wheatsville, snacks (Siete chips, mac and cheeze), beer and wine, and occasional grocery items—most notably a 22-ounce “cold brew bear”—with some essentials like milk and toilet paper available temporarily. While regular traffic has been slow, neighborhood response has been enthusiastic; the team reports covering barista wages, supporting partner vendors, and using the quieter period to collect customer feedback and refine offerings. Originally intended as a creative hub for art shows and community diaries, they’re incorporating that spirit now through hand-drawn packaging illustrations and planning creative online events to keep community engagement alive." - Erin Russell