At Chí Kapé, a cup of coffee is more than a drink: it’s an experience.

“My intention behind this is to bring back memories of childhood, or favorite places,” said Esly Mirelly Divas, owner of Chí Kapé. “I want people to feel like they’re at home, or in whatever place they want that reminds them of a happy moment.”

Chí Kapé is a Longmont coffee shop specializing in Latin American cuisine. From pastries to espresso drinks, Divas is eager to serve the community at the cafe’s new home at 1680 Main St.

The cafe’s name is in Tz’utujil, a Mayan language spoken around Lake Atitlán in Guatemala. “Chí Kapé” roughly translates to “coffee that comes from above.”

Chí Kapé might be more familiar to Longmont residents as “Brunch On The Go,” the cafe in Old Town Marketplace that Divas opened in 2023. Now, in her new building, Divas decided to rebrand her business as she has made the space her own. She loves the window overlooking the parking lot and the tables where customers can relax and chat.

“I just want a space where people can sit and have a good cup of coffee,” she said. “That’s all I want — a place where I can bring people together.”

When Divas has a good cup of coffee, she is reminded of her grandmother’s kitchen back in Guatemala. She can still picture her grandmother’s wood stove and old coffee pot.

For Divas, her journey to Chí Kapé has been a bumpy ride. Born in Guatemala, Divas found a few different homes in the United States over the years, including California and Colorado Springs. She moved to Longmont in 2019.

Divas, who is 44, worked at La Momo Maes Bakery in Longmont before opening Brunch On The Go. She left Old Town Marketplace a few months ago to search for a new place to sell her coffee and pastries. During that time, she delivered for Instacart to support herself as a single mom.

“It was really hard,” she said. “I was ready to give up.”

Divas spent months asking local businesses if she could sell her products in their stores and restaurants, but nothing panned out. Finally, Danny’s Tacos opened the 1680 Main St. property to Chí Kapé, since the owners only used the property for storage.

“I know how hard it is to be a business owner, now,” Divas said. “It takes a lot of courage to open a business and to keep going. To me, it’s like my baby. So, I’m committed to this kid that I have, but it takes a lot of support from good people.”

At Chí Kapé, Divas puts her Guatemalan roots on display. She uses Chica Bean coffee, a company which sources its beans from female farmers in Guatemala.

Behind where Divas stands to take orders, a Guatemalan flag hangs on the wall.

Instead of a traditional tip jar, Divas has a jar next to the register labeled “travel fund.” She hopes to return to Hawaii, where she vacationed with her family in 2023. The coffee there, she said, is some of the best she’s ever had.One of the signature drinks at Chí Kapé is a Café Cubano, a sweet espresso beverage made with Divas’s handcrafted dulce de leche.

That drink uses whiskey-aged beans from Bona Coffee Roasters, which is based in Boulder.

“The menu is very unique,” said Garrett Eleiler, a customer from Denver who ordered a Café Cubano at Chí Kapé.

Since Chí Kapé opened on Main Street at the beginning of December, most customers are finding the cafe through Google. Divas said a couple of new customers recently praised the cafe’s empanadas, which come in both savory and sweet varieties.

“That just brings joy to my heart,” Divas said.

One Google review reads: “It’s relatively new, so come grab something before it’s too popular and the line is out of the door.” That review stood out to Divas.

“People see potential,” she said. “They believe in me.”

Chí Kapé is open Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.