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This is Fred Ball for Zions Bank, speaking on business.
Ruby Chacon and Terry Hurst were not interested in simply starting a business; they were on a mission to make a difference. And they wanted to do it in the area where they felt it was needed the most.
A little over a year ago, Ruby, Terry and many community partners opened Mestizo Coffeehouse, an independent full-service coffeehouse and espresso bar on 600 West and North Temple in Salt Lake City. All the coffee is organic fair trade and purchased on equal exchange. In addition to traditional coffeehouse items including coffee, espresso, tea, smoothies, pastries, empanadas and gourmet sandwiches, Mestizo doubles as a community center and non-profit art gallery.
The Mestizo Institute of Culture and Art, or MICA, shares space with the coffeehouse. MICA is a community non-profit arts organization with the long-term goal of becoming a West side arts institute. MICA includes an art gallery, which is also used as a community space for events, open-mics and numerous other functions.
The gallery's artwork changes every 45-60 days and is designed to create dialogue among community members by recognizing the many cultures, voices and experiences in Salt Lake City. Although Ruby is the artist in residence, the gallery also includes studio space where those involved with the gallery's apprenticeship program can work on their own projects. With money received from the economic stimulus package, Terry and Ruby have also hired 12 interns who help with everything from writing Web content to overseeing details of the gallery.
Ruby and Terry both have a fine arts background, which has served them well in this business. Salt Lake City doesn't have anything quite like Mestizo Coffeehouse, and they have been excited to see the positive response since it opened in June 2008. They feel Mestizo's mission is relevant to people in the community and, as intended, it sparks dialogue and promotes inclusive public spaces.
For Zions Bank, I'm Fred Ball. I'm speaking on business.
Mestizo Coffeehouse 631 W. North Temple Salt Lake City, UT 84116 801-596-0500 www.mestizoarts.com
