Cafecito Bar is more than a java fix

BRAWLEY?- A red ribbon cutting was held on Thursday, December 7, to commemorate the opening of the Cafecito Bar at 157 N Plaza St.

The owner, Claudia Pineda of Cafecito Bar, previously owned for six years the Wellness Bar, a nutrition club based in Brawley.?

“Something that prompted the change from the Wellness Bar to the Cafecito Bar is that the Wellness Bar was based on Herbalife supplements,” said Pineda. “With Herbalife I felt very restricted with what I could offer to the community. I love cooking and I felt limited by what I could put on the menu, so I decided to change to Cafecito Bar. With Cafecito Bar our menu is totally different and I added a type of deli. I feel really satisfied with the change.”

Pineda went on to mention how Friday, December 8, is one month of having the doors open to the public with a new name and a new location.

“in the area that we were located— it was an area that was very hidden. Even though my community of Brawley supported us a lot, it was a needed change. Everything came together, the right people got involved and the change happened.”

Pineda talked about her love of cooking; a trait inherited by her daughter who worked a year in an Imperial café. The daughter absorbed much during her tenure. Pineda now has both daughters in the arena, and they are stepping up to the plate and assuming much of the responsibilities of running a business. Plus, their love of coffee drives many changes.?

With a new location comes new ideas, according to Pineda, who has big plans for the new location.?

“Right now, I can share that I am very happy because my two daughters are taking charge. Now I can truly say that this is a family business.”

Pineda won’t be resting on her laurels. Her heart for the community will occupy much of her time.

“Something that I can share with you is that I am starting to share my non-profit foundation. I am organizing a 5K race and that 5K will be to raise funds for children with cancer. I have a lot of plans and I’m very excited.”

Pineda revealed her personal history with having a child battle with cancer,?

“This dream of helping children with cancer stems from my son having Leukemia in 2007 and now I’m taking up the dream again. Years ago, I was not ready, I didn't know the right people, and I wasn’t as ready as I feel like I am now. And I feel like I have all the tools to be successful in helping local children dealing with some type of cancer. My big dream is to have a van to transport the children to hospitals in San Diego. I lived through it. It is very difficult driving 4 or 5 times a week because your child’s defenses are low. That is the most important thing that has come with this change to Cafecito Bar.”

“I have a grand vision,” Pineda said, “I hope that the important people of Brawley and the Imperial Valley become a part of the foundation that I am envisioning. I would love to continue to feel the support from my community in Brawley that I have felt these past eight years since I started in a park with a group of women exercising. I want to thank those that have been part of my journey and supported me in one way or another. My dream is big, and I cannot do it alone, so I would love to continue having the support from our community. I want to say that our community, here in Brawley and in the Imperial Valley, are awesome.”