Milagros Coffee House

Milagros Coffeehouse is one of the social enterprises operated by La Puente Enterprises whose mission is to develop sustainable social enterprises for the common good, which support San Luis Valley charities!

The Story of how we started and got our name...

Milagros began with the donation of a coffee pot. The coffee pot was given to Rainbow's End Thrift Store, which was the first social enterprise started by La Puente Enterprises in 1994. Instead of simply reselling it, the thrift store manager at the time decided to create a space within the store for people to share their story - she dubbed it "Tea with Sympathy". It's popularity sparked an idea among the Enterprises Board of Directors to open a separate coffee shop business in order to create job training opportunities for those seeking employment. The Unemployment Rate nationally was at a crisis level and it was three times as bad in the San Luis Valley.

A public plea was made for the list of items needed for a coffee shop and the response was overwhelming. Excitement was mounting as the target opening of March 1998 drew near. The last technicality was a Health Inspection a month before opening. As the Health Inspector entered the spotless and cozy space he gave a deflated immediate sigh, paused, and broke the news that none of our kitchen equipment would suffice. Commercial equipment was required and unfortunately all of the equipment donated was residential. The Board was so dismayed to find out the pr