La Viña Kaffe: A Tiny Delight

It’s small and quaint, but serves up in big way!  La Viña Kaffe, a delicatessen and coffee shop, is one of the newest businesses in Pharr.  

Proud business owner Rosario Dávila smiles at the end result of careful planning, hard work, and dedication. As a special touch, a rustic sign at the deli invites customers with: The pleasant place to share with friends.

Visitors may choose from various specialty sandwiches, such as La Viña and Little Italy, and also enjoy the selection of gourmet coffee, mocha, and latte. Drive-through customers are also welcome and may order breakfast and lunch meals, as wells as pastries and snacks to go. In a corner of the little shop, patrons can also browse through an ample selection of coffees, jewelry, and other gift items.  La Viña Kaffe also provides lunch catering.

In her native language, Dávila relates that the petite size of La Viña Kaffe is designed to make her customers feel comfortable:  “El lugar es diferente, el concepto es diferente. Tenemos un pequeño ‘deli’ con un patio acogedor y un ambiente familiar para que nuestros clientes se sientan como en casa. La idea es tener el enfoque en el cliente para que este disfrute el medioambiente y tenga una buena experiencia.” 

After all the difficulties and set-backs that she, as well as her husband Oscar, encountered in the business planning process, she notes that she has finally realized a life-long dream that she can share with her family.  Dávila offers contently: “Es una meta realizada con bastante trabajo.  Estoy llena de satisfacción y lo mas importante es que este logro sirve como algo de beneficio para dejar a mis hijas – un patrimonio – y para que tengan una referencia de lo que se necesita para alcanzar el éxito.”

She comes from an entrepreneurial family that supports and respects her decision to start her own business. Ms. Dávila shares her satisfaction: “Me siento contenta, realizada, y muy apoyada por mi esposo y mis hijas. Siento que el negocio va ser más que un triunfo del momento. Tenemos que trabajar para lograrlo, pues hay un camino largo que hay que trazar.”

Since the beginning, Dávila consulted with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at The University of Texas-Pan American.   SBDC Director Maria D. Juarez helped her develop a business plan and assisted in evaluating the financial and record-keeping components of the potential business.  The two also worked with SCORE representative James Streeter who is a specialist in restaurant ownership and management.  Mr. Streeter guided Ms. Dávila in choosing the location, business set-up, menu creation, and other operational aspects of the business. The group also visited with Diana Song, an attorney with the Texas Rio Grande Legal Aide (TRGLA), and sought her legal advice in business structure and leasing agreements.

“Gracias a Dios, hemos logrado este éxito. El triunfo existe para aquel que se define por hacer sus sueños realidad. Hoy es el momento preciso y el tiempo programado para disfrutar este éxito,” expresses Ms. Dávila about her timing for the business and the impact of her spiritual faith on her success.

She wholeheartedly thanks the SBDC and SCORE and TRGLA for their invaluable assistance in setting up her business: “Si no fuera por la ayuda de Mr. Streeter y Maria y Diana, hubiera sido más difícil y tal vez no hubieramos logrado lo que hemos hecho. He recomendado a otras personas que busquen la asistencia de estas organizaciones.” 

La Viña Kaffe is located in at 618 S. Cage Blvd. in Pharr, Texas. For catering and information, Ms. Dávila can be reached at (956) 781-2386. For more information on SBDC services, please call (956) 292-7535.