For the past four years, the Azukar Coffee Shop has been a hangout in southern Phoenix. The cafe on South Central Avenue serves drinks and light snacks, from agave mesquite lattes to stuffed bolillos and conchas.
Then, on September 2nd, the owner announced that Azukar had closed.
In a video posted on the café’s social media pages late Thursday evening, owner Sandra Flores thanked people for the “great experience”.
She cited the ongoing construction of the light rail as the reason for the closure, but urged people to “stay tuned” to what’s next.
From the cart to the common room
Sandra Flores and her husband Norberto, whose name is Anthony, started Azukar Coffee as a mobile beverage company. Then, in 2016, Flores enrolled in Arizona State University’s first Prepped program, which provides free business training for women and people of color with food trucks, catering companies, and other small businesses.
The following year, she and Anthony turned their drinks cart into a coffee shop at 7246 S. Central Ave. in south Phoenix, turning a historic 1920s home into a neighborhood hangout.
Azukar Coffee served drinks with Mexican influences such as Horchata Cold Brew, Mango Chili Limonada and the Caramelo Mio Latte with Cajeta, a caramelized goat’s milk similar to the Dulce de Leche.
Colorful murals and paintings by local artists adorned the walls around the courtyard and in the shop, and the cafe was known for hosting community events.
The good stuff:Azukar Coffee’s Horchata Cold Brew is one of these southern Phoenix favorites
Events included an open mic night, outdoor yoga, and pop-up markets with small businesses. Azukar also worked with the Sagrado, an arts organization based in south Phoenix, to curate rotating works by local artists such as Vanessa Chavez and Adam Vigil. Every year for the Día de los Muertos, Azukar put together a community of Renda where people could bring photos of their deceased relatives.
For Azukar’s loyal customers, the loss of the coffee shop means the loss of a common pillar.
The Impact of Light Rail Construction on Small Businesses
According to a Valley Metro news bulletin, construction on the extension of the downtown Phoenix to South Phoenix light rail began in October 2019.
The light rail, which will stretch between Jefferson Street and Baseline Road along South Central Avenue, is slated for completion in 2024, The Arizona Republic reported. The combination of COVID-19 and construction that has reduced lanes and diverted traffic is weighing on businesses that include Central Avenue, The Republic’s Megan Taros reported.
“Because of this, there were shifts in the light rail system. Then when COVID is hit, it just piles up, ”said Samuel Gomez, general manager of the Sagrado.
In August, Azukar Coffee cut its opening hours due to the impact of the light rail, according to a sign in the store. On September 2nd, Flores announced that the store would be closing.
Gomez said The Sagrado was working to preserve the mural on the outside wall of the cafe.
What’s next for Azukar?
“I couldn’t have stayed in business for so long without the support of my community,” said Flores.
At the moment she doesn’t have any definitive answers on what’s next, but people can follow Azukar Coffee on Instagram and Facebook for updates at instagram.com/azukarcoffee and facebook.com/azukarcoffee.
In a recent post, she said, “We will have a lot of love to give and we look forward to a future! So stay tuned. Our family is so grateful that YOU helped make our dream come true. Como Azukar no hay DOS!”
Reach the reporter at Priscilla.Totiya@azcentral.com. Follow @priscillatotiya on Twitter and Instagram.
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